DOI: 10.7256/2453-613X.2015.2.40192

Abstract: The subject of research in this article is the vocal-symphonic concept of the oratorio-trilogy by Hector Berlioz “The Childhood of Christ” Op. 25, which is being viewed as a prime example of creative thought of that era (middle of XIX century), and being examined in form of analysis of musical composition, musical dramaturgy, fundamental plots and characters of Christianity, as well as emotional-psychological side of the musical content. Based on examination of the letters and Mémoires of Hector Berlioz the article presents a hypothesis on the genesis of the creative concept of the oeuvre, and offers facts from the history of its creation and performance. The plot motifs of Berlioz’s poetic libretto presented as units of the overall structure of the creative text. The author analyzes the particular aspects of the oratorio-theatrical embodiment of the space-time spiritual concept of eternity of Christian love, examines the fusion of spiritual and secular elements within the semantics of the creative text, gives attention to the specificity of the composition, musical dramaturgy, principles of polyphonic thought of the composer, synthesis of genre elements (oratorio, symphony, mystery play, and others), and reveals the correlation between Berlioz’s innovative musical thinking and the creative practice of the psychological realism within the French art and literature of 1850’s. Research methodology:- Musical-philosophical hermeneutical reconstruction of the process of structuring the creative idea and the aspects of its realization within the programmatic vocal-symphonic concept of the oratorio-trilogy.- Analysis pertaining to the musical philosophy of the score of “The Childhood of Christ” as a creative canon, which reflected the phenomenon of the topology of the path- Analysis of the musical and aesthetical aspects of the psychological realism within intonation-dramaturgical development of the work.Scientific novelty of the research consists in:- Discovery of Berlioz’s individual approach towards the critical perception of Christianity in France during 1850’s- Analytical justification of the position that composer’s interpretation of the Christian spiritual values, including the eternity of Christian love, presented in the oratorio-trilogy of “The Childhood of Christ” is relevant in the XXI century- Determination of the musical and aesthetical phenomenon of realistic vocal intonation, which is in a state of development of psychological and critical realism in the French art and literature of 1850’s- Musical and philosophical understanding of the functionality of spiritual and semantical concepts of the Christian “storge” and Christian “agape” in the musical dramaturgy of these parts of the work: “Herod’s Dream”, “Flight into Egypt”, and “The Arrival at Sais”.Main conclusions:1. The specificity of composer’s individual understanding of the psychological mystery of communication between human soul and God is reflected in the deep structure of the oratorio-trilogy “The Childhood of Christ” – the concept of eternity of Christian love2. The perception on this concept is relevant for the modern Christian world, and prompts us to change our attitude towards the life and creative heritage of Berlioz3. “The Childhood of Christ” is a great example for the French composers of the XIX-XX centuries, who created oratorio-theatrical works and significant forms of vocal-symphonic music based on the synthesis of arts and genres; among them are works by Charles Gounod, Jules Massenet, César Franck, Claude Debussy, Vincent d'Indy, Arthur Honegger, Francis Poulenc, and Olivier Messiaen.

DOI: 10.7256/2453-613X.2015.4.40204

Abstract: This article examines the relevant issue pertaining to Russian, European, and world practice of using the musicological notion of “symphonic music”. The author notes the differences in the versions and peculiarities of interpretations of the term “symphonic music” in both, literature of strictly musicological profile, as well as within the broader culturological discourse. The author determines and analyzes the level of aesthetical, semantic and referential correlation between symphonic music and performing attributes of symphonic orchestra. The article presents multiple example of musical works that although attributed to the symphonic music, are in no way substantiated by the specificity or the expressive means and capabilities of symphonic orchestra. In the process of locating the various musicological aspects of the notion “symphonic music”, the author gives its adequate etymological and cultural-historical correlation with the core lexeme “symphony”. The author reveals the key and “cementing” role of constructive category of “symphonism” in this process. It is stated that the “symphonicity of the form” of musical works is determined not by some established “canonical” schemes, but by a complex internal organization of their musical texture, which is linked, first and foremost, with the continuity of development and overall process of the formation.

DOI: 10.7256/2453-613X.2014.1.40160

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2453-613X.2015.1.40185

Abstract: The subject of this work is the article of B. V. Asafiev about the comedy production of Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov “Woe from Wit” realized by Vsevolod Meyerhold in 1928. Asafiev, a famous Russian and Soviet historian and theoretician of music and renowned composer, also took part in creation of this spectacle: he was selecting music that would illustrate the inner image of the characters. The goal of this article became his argumentation of this selection, especially the forming of the psychological likeness of the main character – Chatsky. The key point became Asafiev’s claim about musical characteristics as most active in manifestation of the essence of the character. The author compares the Sturm und Drang era with the times of Mozart, Beethoven, Shubert, and German Lied. Going analytically deeper into the music of Beethoven, the author highlights its multifacetedness, while turning to Mozart – he underlines in it not brightness, but the opposite, the features of the “world-pain”. In theatrological sense Asafiev counterposes the images of Chatsky and Famusov as irreconcilable, gives attention to the logic of the dialogues and ensembles, and the tempos of development of the play. He demonstrates, for example, the tones of French “happy” songs, to convey the street and drawing room vulgarity. As a result, characterizing Griboyedov’s famous comedy through music, Asafiev unfolds a broad musical panorama that includes in addition to the mentioned composers works of Bach, Field, and Wagner. The publication of this forgotten article sheds light on the collaboration between Asafiev and Meyerhold in both, the theatrical aspect, as well as the stage in development of the Asafiev’s intonation theory.

DOI: 10.7256/2453-613X.2015.1.40186

Abstract: The subject of this work is the article of B. V. Asafiev about the comedy production of Alexander Sergeevich Griboyedov “Woe from Wit” realized by Vsevolod Meyerhold in 1928. Asafiev, a famous Russian and Soviet historian and theoretician of music and renowned composer, also took part in creation of this spectacle: he was selecting music that would illustrate the inner image of the characters. The goal of this article became his argumentation of this selection, especially the forming of the psychological likeness of the main character – Chatsky. The key point became Asafiev’s claim about musical characteristics as most active in manifestation of the essence of the character. The author compares the Sturm und Drang era with the times of Mozart, Beethoven, Shubert, and German Lied. Going analytically deeper into the music of Beethoven, the author highlights its multifacetedness, while turning to Mozart – he underlines in it not brightness, but the opposite, the features of the “world-pain”. In theatrological sense Asafiev counterposes the images of Chatsky and Famusov as irreconcilable, gives attention to the logic of the dialogues and ensembles, and the tempos of development of the play. He demonstrates, for example, the tones of French “happy” songs, to convey the street and drawing room vulgarity. As a result, characterizing Griboyedov’s famous comedy through music, Asafiev unfolds a broad musical panorama that includes in addition to the mentioned composers works of Bach, Field, and Wagner. The publication of this forgotten article sheds light on the collaboration between Asafiev and Meyerhold in both, the theatrical aspect, as well as the stage in development of the Asafiev’s intonation theory.

DOI: 10.7256/2453-613X.2014.1.40152

Abstract:

DOI: 10.7256/2453-613X.2015.2.40194

Abstract: The subject of study in this article is a vocal-symphonic concept trilogy Hector Berlioz oratorio "The Childhood of Christ" Op. 25, considered as a special phenomenon of artistic thinking era (mid XIX century.) And in terms of the analysis of a musical composition, musical drama, the fundamental themes and images of Christianity, as well as the emotional and psychological side of music content.On the basis of letters and memoirs of Berlioz in the article the hypothesis about the origins of artistic design work, given the facts of the history of its creation and execution. Scene motives poetic libretto by Berlioz presented as units of the general structure of a literary text; Fine designated dialogue aspects of the literary program of works of Berlioz with images of the same scenes in the paintings of masters of Western painting XIV - XVI centuries. The author analyzes the features of oratorio-theatrical incarnation spatiotemporal spiritual concept of the eternity of Christian love, considering the connection of spiritual and secular elements in the semantics of a literary text, draws attention to the particular composition, musical drama, to the principles of polyphonic thinking of the composer, the synthesis of genre elements (oratorio, symphony , an ancient mystery, and others.), reveals the ratio of innovative thinking Berlioz's music with the artistic practice of psychological realism in literature and art in France 1850.Research methods:- Musical and philosophical hermeneutic reconstruction of the formation of the artistic design and features of its realization in the program's vocal-symphonic oratorio trilogy concept.- Linked to the philosophy of music analysis of the musical text (the score), "Childhood of Christ" as the artistic canon, which reflected the phenomenon of path topology, as well as the category the poetics of space.- Analysis of musical and aesthetic aspects of psychological realism in intonation and the dramatic development of the product.The novelty of the study is- In the detection of individual attitudes Berlioz's critical understanding of Christianity in France 1850- The analytical justification provisions: composer's interpretation of the spiritual values ​​of Christianity in particular - the eternity of Christian love, presented in oratorio trilogy "Childhood of Christ" - is relevant in the XXI century.- To identify the musical-aesthetic phenomenon realistic vocal intonation, which is in line with the development of psychological and critical realism in French literature and art of the 1850s.- In the musical and philosophical understanding of spiritual functioning, semantic concepts of the Christian "storge" and Christian "agape" in the musical drama parts of the work: "Herod's Dream," "Flight into Egypt" and "The arrival at Sais"Main conclusions:1. Features of the individual composer's understanding of the psychological mystery of communion of the soul with God reflected in the deep structure of the trilogy oratorio "The Childhood of Christ" - the concept of the eternity of Christian love2. Perception called the concept of relevance to the contemporary Christian world, it leads to a change in attitude to the fate of the creative heritage and Berlioz.3. "The Childhood of Christ" - the highest example for French composers XIX - XX centuries, created the oratorio-theater works and major forms of vocal and symphonic music based on the synthesis of the arts, genre characteristics; among them - works by Gounod, Massenet, Franck, Debussy V. d'Indy, A. Honegger, Poulenc, Olivier Messiaen.