DOI: 10.7256/2453-613X.2020.2.40333

Abstract: The article considers the structure and dramaturgy of the Christmas Festive Triptych by archimandrite Matthew (Mormyl). The author notes the liturgic substantiation of the Triptych’s structure. The research subject is the pitch organization and timbre dramaturgy of the composition justified by the liturgic concept of Father Matthew. In the author’s opinion, in part I of the Triptych, the modally colored mode prevails combined with the high sonority of the choir. Part II is based on the classic functional mode and strong sonorousness of the choir. Part III is vernacular polyphony. The author applies the functional method and takes into account the P.I. Tchaikovsky’s concept of ‘all-stageness’, developed by A.N. Myasoyedov. When considering the vernacular polyphony, the author notes its typological relationship with the rules of composition of the later Renaissance studied by the representatives of Yu. N. Kholopov’s scientific school. The timber aspect of the Triptych is described in compliance with N.G. Denisov’s concept developed within the structural-typological method. The author also uses the method of graphic representation of the polyphony introduced in folklore studies by E. A. Linyova. The scientific novelty of the article is determined by several factors. The author is the first to study the pitch and timber aspects of the Christmas Triptych; the analytical methodology by Yu. N. Kholopov is for the first time applied to the liturgic material.; the music logic of archimandrite Matthew is represented as a phenomenon mediated by his theological views. The author concludes that archimandrite Matthew created the Christmas Festive Triptych not only as an offering to the two thousandth anniversary of the Nativity of Christ, but also as an opportunity to give his pastor’s message about this key event of the sacred history.   

DOI: 10.7256/2453-613X.2020.1.32028

Abstract: The article considers the problem of analyzing the melodics of liturgical chants of the Russian Orthodox Church. The research object is the melodies which are the parts of the chants of the Christmas cycle and are used by archimandrite Matthew (Mormyl) in the Christmas Festive Triptych. The author studies the terminology traditional for medieval studies, folklore studies and general musicology to analyze one-voiced textual and musical compositions. In the author’s opinion, it is reasonable to apply the term ‘string’ to the smallest complete melodic structures closed in cadencies. For the fragments shorter than a string, the author introduces the term ‘micromodel’ proposed by Yu.N. Kholopov. The key research method used by the author is the functional method introduced by Riman and customized in the musical and theoretical tradition of Moscow Conservatory. The author also applies the elements of structural-typological method, which had developed in Russian ethnomusicology and was applied in the field of music medieval studies. Partially, the author also uses H. Schenker’s method of reduction tested within Kholopov’s music and theoretical concept. The multiplicity of the methodological aspect is one of the signs of the scientific novelty of the article. The author arrives at several conclusions. First of all, the melodic composition of regular chants is based on the principle of micromodels junction. Secondly, the essence of melodic micromodels comes down to the establishment of a local or a central modal basis. Thirdly, the junctions of melodic micromodels don’t rule out the presence of a significant pitch basis and inclination for tertian coordination. These conclusions prove that chants accumulate both archaic and relatively new style components. The author is the first to analyze the melodic of the Christmas Festive Triptych in its correlation with the pitch organization in Russian musicology.   

DOI: 10.7256/2453-613X.2020.1.40332

Abstract: The article considers the problem of analyzing the melodics of liturgical chants of the Russian Orthodox Church. The research object is the melodies which are the parts of the chants of the Christmas cycle and are used by archimandrite Matthew (Mormyl) in the Christmas Festive Triptych. The author studies the terminology traditional for medieval studies, folklore studies and general musicology to analyze one-voiced textual and musical compositions. In the author’s opinion, it is reasonable to apply the term ‘string’ to the smallest complete melodic structures closed in cadencies. For the fragments shorter than a string, the author introduces the term ‘micromodel’ proposed by Yu.N. Kholopov. The key research method used by the author is the functional method introduced by Riman and customized in the musical and theoretical tradition of Moscow Conservatory. The author also applies the elements of structural-typological method, which had developed in Russian ethnomusicology and was applied in the field of music medieval studies. Partially, the author also uses H. Schenker’s method of reduction tested within Kholopov’s music and theoretical concept. The multiplicity of the methodological aspect is one of the signs of the scientific novelty of the article. The author arrives at several conclusions. First of all, the melodic composition of regular chants is based on the principle of micromodels junction. Secondly, the essence of melodic micromodels comes down to the establishment of a local or a central modal basis. Thirdly, the junctions of melodic micromodels don’t rule out the presence of a significant pitch basis and inclination for tertian coordination. These conclusions prove that chants accumulate both archaic and relatively new style components. The author is the first to analyze the melodic of the Christmas Festive Triptych in its correlation with the pitch organization in Russian musicology.