What is a choir definition briefly. What is Russia singing about? Siberian folk choir

(vocal trio, quartet, quintet, etc.) by the presence of at least two (according to P. Chesnokov, three) or more people performing the same part.

Most often, the choir includes four choral parts: sopranos, altos, tenors, basses. But the number of parts is, in principle, not limited, since each of these main parts can be divided into several relatively independent parts (this phenomenon among musicians is called division): in Vasily Titov's partes concerts there are 12 or more choral parts; Krzysztof Penderecki's Stabat Mater is written for a triple choir of 4 voices each (a total of 12 choral parts).

The choir can sing with or without instruments. Singing without accompaniment is called a cappella singing. Instrumental accompaniment can include almost any instrument, one or more, or an entire orchestra. As a rule, during choir rehearsals, in the process of learning a piece written for a choir and orchestra, the orchestra is temporarily replaced by the piano; The piano is also used as an auxiliary instrument when learning a cappella choral works.

Encyclopedic YouTube

1 / 3

✪ Turetsky Choir - Wandering Artists (Saturday Evening)

✪ Turetsky Choir - “Wandering Artists”

Subtitles

Story

Some of the first singing groups were ancient Greek choirs, used during tragedies. But unlike modern drama and theater, he himself was not a character, but played a role public opinion, which determined the choice of other characters. The ancient Greek choir always sang in one voice, either unaccompanied or accompanied by a kithara, which also played in unison with the choir.

Early Christianity adopted ancient tradition, and until the X-XII centuries, choirs sang only in unison or octave. Then began the division of votes into low and high and the emergence of different parties for them. Until XV (and in church hymn- until the 17th century) the choir consisted only of men (with the exception of choirs of nuns).

Types of choirs

Under the name choir type understand the characteristics of the performing group by component groups singing voices. It is known that singing voices are divided into three groups - women's, men's and children's. Thus, a choir that combines the voices of one group is called homogeneous, and a choir that has combinations of female (or children's) and male voices or singing voices from all groups is called mixed. In performing practice, four types of choirs are common: women's, men's, children's, mixed.

mixed choir(the most common type of choir) - consists of female and male voices. Female voices make up the soprano and alto parts, male voices make up the tenor and bass parts. Within each part there is usually a division into first (higher) and second (lower) voices: sopranos I and II, altos I and II, tenors I and II, basses I and II;
boys and youth choir- consists of the same four main parts as the mixed one, but the soprano part is performed by boys called treble voices, the alto part is performed by low boy voices; the tenor and bass parts in such a choir, as well as in a mixed one, are performed by men;
male choir- consists of tenors and basses, with each part divided into two voices: first (high) and second (low) tenors and first and second basses. The part of the first tenors can be expanded with countertenor singers singing (in falsetto) an even higher part, tessitura located outside the normal male vocal range;
women's choir- consists of sopranos and altos, with each part divided into two voices: first and second sopranos and first and second altos;
children's choir- consists of two parts: sopranos (trebles) and altos, sometimes of three - sopranos (trebles) I and II, and altos; Other options are also possible.

The minimum number of singers in one choir is 3 people.

From the point of view of singing style, there are:

academic choirs - singing in an academic manner. Academic style of singing is based on principles and criteria musical creativity and performances developed by professional musical culture and the traditions of centuries-old experience of opera and chamber genres;
folk choirs- singing in a folk manner. Genre characteristics Russian folk choirs are: reliance on the local or regional tradition of everyday folk singing; use of natural register sound of voices; subvocal polyphonic singing of the song as the basis of choral polyphony.

Types of choral singing

Based on the number of participants there are:

vocal and choral ensemble- from 12 to 20 participants;
chamber choirs- from 20 to 30-50 participants;
middle choirs- from 40 to 60-70 participants;
large choirs- from 70 to 120 participants;
combined choirs - up to 1000 participants, gathered temporarily from different teams. Such compositions have the status of “happening performance” and do not actually belong to performing arts, since they are more of a propaganda and educational direction.

Choirs can have different statuses, for example, professional, amateur (amateur), church and educational choirs.

Notes

Literature

Anisimov A. I. Conductor-choirmaster. Creative and methodological notes.- L.: “Music”, 1976.- 160 p.
Asafiev B.V. About choral art: Sat. articles / Comp. and comment. A. Pavlova-Arbenina. - L.: Music, 1980. - 216 p.
Vinogradov K. Work on diction in the choir. - M.: Muzyka, 1967.
Dmitrevskaya K. Russian Soviet choral music. Vol. 1.- M.: Soviet composer, 1974.
Dmitrevsky G. Choral studies and choir management. - Muzgiz, 1957.
Evgrafov, Yu. A. Elementary theory manual control of the choir. - M.: Music, 1995
Egorov, A. A. Theory and practice of working with a choir / A. A. Egorov. - L.; M.: Gosmuizdat, 1951.
Zhivov, V. L. Performing analysis of choral work. - M.: Music, 1987.
Zhivov V.L. Choral performance: Theory. Methodology. Practice. - M.: Vlados, 2003.
Ilyin V. Essays on the history of Russian choral culture. - M.: Soviet Composer, 1985.
Kazachkov S. A. Choir conductor - artist and teacher / Kazan. state Conservatory. - Kazan, 1998. - 308 p.
Kazachkov S. A. From lesson to concert. - Kazan: Kazan University Publishing House, 1990. - 343 p.
Krasnoshchekov V. Questions of choral studies. - M.: Muzyka, 1969.
Lokshin D. Wonderful Russian choirs and their conductors. - M.: Muzgiz, 1963.
Nikolskaya-Beregovskaya K. F. Russian vocal and choir school: From antiquity to the 21st century - M.: Vlados, 2003. ISBN 5-691-01077-8
In memory of A.V. Sveshnikov. Collection of articles ed. S. Kalinina. - M.: Music, 1998.
Shamina L.V. Work with an amateur choir. - M.: Muzyka, 1981. - 174 p.]
Sadovnikov V.I. Orthoepia in singing. - M., 1958. - 80 p.
Riemann, Hugo. Musical Dictionary: CD-ROM / trans. with him. B. P. Jurgenson, add. rus. department - M.: DirectMedia Publishing, 2008.

CHORUS, -A, pl. choirs And choirs, m.

1. East. Mandatory collective participant ancient Greek tragedy and comedy.

2. A singing group performing vocal works. Gypsy choir. Conduct a choir. □ The theater had an exemplary choir and first-class soloists. Yuryev, Notes. || Musical piece, intended for performance by a singing group. For the school anniversary, I did not write a cantata, but simply a choir that the students should sing at the celebration. Tchaikovsky, Letter to N. F. Mekk, 27 September. 1885. || what. A collection of smb. sounds made at the same time. The birds plopped heavily onto the water, and soon their contented quacks joined the numerous chorus of duck voices. Korolenko, In desert places. For a minute there was a silence of deep enchantment, immediately replaced by a chorus of enthusiastic exclamations. L. Andreev, Angel.

3. whom or Which. Outdated A group of musicians playing the same instruments (as part of an orchestra or separately). And the whole choir of Uhlan trumpeters thundered in unison from the balcony, Amidst the comforting ringing of plates, spoons and knives. Lermontov, Tambov Treasurer. || what. A collection of identical musical instruments that perform piece of music, sounding simultaneously. Violin choir. □ The bacchantes, with shouts and laughter, held a grape feast, and a choir of tympanums, flutes and lyres merged noisily with the distant echo. A.K. Tolstoy, Crimean essays.

4. trans.; whom. A collection, a group of people who agree to express something. judgment, opinion, etc. About one estate of the Heirs, an angry chorus starts an obscene argument. Pushkin, Evgeny Onegin. || what. Many identical opinions, judgments, etc., expressed simultaneously. Chorus of ridicule. □ Killed!.. Why now the sobs, the unnecessary chorus of empty praises. Lermontov, Death of a Poet.

5. what. Trad.-poet. Cluster, many (celestial bodies). The night is frosty, the whole sky is clear; The heavenly luminaries, a wondrous choir, Flows so quietly, so harmoniously. Pushkin, Evgeny Onegin. Choirs of slender luminaries float quietly in the fog. Lermontov, Demon.

6. in meaning adv. in unison. a) All together, in several voices (about singing). My neighbor began to sing a mournful barge hauler song in a thin voice, and everyone joined in in chorus. Pushkin, Captain's daughter; b) all at once, at the same time, together (about some kind of statement). The rest of the grooms thanked Kapiton Averyanych in unison. Ertel, Gardeniny.

7. Music In stringed musical instruments there are double, triple, etc. strings.

[Greek χορός]

Source (printed version): Dictionary of the Russian language: In 4 volumes / RAS, Institute of Linguistics. research; Ed. A. P. Evgenieva. - 4th ed., erased. - M.: Rus. language; Polygraph resources, 1999; (electronic version):

In musicological literature, when characterizing a performance, it is customary to isolate its three components: the composer, the performer and the listener. One more remains unattended important element performing act - a musical instrument with the help of which the performer realizes the author's plan, recreating it in live sound. This is explained by the fact that in most types of musical performance the musician does not have a direct relationship to the quality of the instrument. Another thing is the choir, which is a living organism, formed in accordance with the artistic tastes and criteria of the choirmaster - the master who created it. This organism can be flexible and clumsy, understanding and dull, friendly and aggressive, enthusiastic and indifferent. The spirituality of the choral instrument requires it special treatment, since this feature of his makes him at the same time the most intelligent and receptive, and the most unstable and changeable. The latter circumstance is due to the fact that its main qualitative parameters (brightness and beauty of sound, purity of intonation, unity of the ensemble, timbre richness, volume, overall vocal range, articulatory “mechanism”) cannot be fixed for a long time, but are recreated and updated at every rehearsal conductor-choirmaster, who in the choral genre is not only a performer, but also the author of the instrument (similar to violin maker) and its tuner (like a piano tuner).

In the history of Russian choral studies, many definitions of the concept of “choir” have been given: from “a collection of singers” to “an ensemble of singing unisons.” Here are some of them:

“A choir is a collection of singers, the sonority of which contains a strictly balanced ensemble, a precisely calibrated structure and artistic, clearly developed nuances” (P.G. Chesnokov) 1.

“A choir is a more or less numerous group of singers performing vocal piece"(A.S. Egorov) 2.

“A choir is a group of singers organized to perform together. The choir must maintain a quantitative and qualitative ratio of voices, ensuring mastery of all elements of choral sonority, necessary for the implementation of the performing tasks facing it” (G.A. Dmitrevsky) 3.

“A choir is an organized group of singers... In the understanding of the Soviet listener, a choir is creative team, the main goal of whose performing activity is ideological, artistic and aesthetic education of the masses" (K.K. Pigrov) 4.

“A choir is a group that is sufficiently proficient in the technical, artistic and expressive means of choral performance necessary to convey thoughts, feelings, ideological content, which are embedded in the work" (Vl.G. Sokolov) 5.

“A choir is a singing group that performs vocal music with instrumental accompaniment or a cappella” (N.V. Romanovsky) 6.

“The choir is a large vocal performing group, which, through the means of its art, truthfully and artistically fully reveals the content and form of the works performed and its creative activity promotes the ideological and artistic education of the masses. As a musical performing "instrument" choir

1 Chesnokov P.G. Choir and its management. - M., 1961. - P. 25-26. 2 Egorov A.S. Theory and practice of choir management. - L.; M., 1951. - P. 13.

3 Dmitrevsky GL. Choral dance and choir management. - M., 1957. - P. 3.

4 Pigrov K.K. Choir leadership. - M., 1964. - P.21.

6 Sokolov Vl. Working with the choir. - 2nd ed. - M., 1983. - P. 5.

6 Romanovsky N.V. Choral Dictionary. - M., 1980. - P. 124.

Concept of choir

is an ensemble of vocal unisons” (V.I. Krasnoshchekov) 1.

As we can see, in each of these definitions the emphasis is either on structural organization, either on technical and artistic parameters, or on goals and objectives. Having linked together the various essential features put by different authors into the concept of “choir” and critically assessed them, the author of this book considers it possible to propose the following general formulation: choir- This is a vocally organized performing group, the basis of which is an ensemble of intonationally, dynamically and timbre-combined groups that have the artistic and technical skills necessary to embody the musical and poetic text of the work in a live sound. This definition, perhaps, establishes quite accurately distinctive features concepts, its content and boundaries.

According to the composition of voices, the choir is homogeneous (male, female, children) and mixed(i.e. consisting of male and female or male and child voices). Another category - boys' choirs - requires clarification, since it can also be represented by homogeneous choir(if only boys sing in it) and mixed (if young men performing male parts sing in it together with the boys).

A normal full mixed choir consists of four parts: soprano, alto, tenor and bass. But sometimes in a mixed choir one or even two choral parts from heterogeneous groups of voices are missing (for example, the part of altos or tenors). This composition is usually called an incomplete mixed choir. This type of choir, as a rule, does not occur in professional choral performance. It is quite common among amateur choirs. Especially often, incomplete mixed composition is found in factory and club amateur performances, in schools, colleges and universities. So, for example, a fairly typical situation is when in a choir with 40 participants, only 5-6 men sing. In this case, most often tenors and basses are combined into one choral part.

1 Krasnoshchekov V.I. Questions of choral studies. - M., 1969. - P. 81-82.

54 Chapter 3. Choir as a performing “instrument”

Depending on the gender and age of the singers, choirs can be classified as follows:

· mixed choir(the most common type of choir) - consists of female and male voices. Women's voices make up the parts of sopranos and altos, men's voices make up the parts of tenors and basses. Within each part there is usually a division into first (higher) and second (lower) voices: sopranos I and II, altos I and II, tenors I and II, basses I and II;

· boys and youth choir- consists of the same four main parts as the mixed one, but the soprano part is performed by boys - treblets, the alto part - countertenor - by young men singing in falsetto; the tenor and bass parts in such a choir, as well as in a mixed one, are performed by men;

· male choir-- consists of tenors and basses, with each part divided into two voices: first (high) and second (low) tenors and first and second basses. The part of the first tenors can be expanded by countertenor singers singing (in falsetto) an even higher part, tessitura located outside the normal male vocal range;

· women's choir-- consists of sopranos and altos, with each part divided into two voices: first and second sopranos and first and second altos;

· children's choir-- consists of two parts: sopranos (trebles) and altos, sometimes of three - sopranos (trebles) I and II, and altos; Other options are also possible.

From the point of view of singing style, there are:

· academic choirs- singing in an academic manner, based on the standard of European academic (opera and concert) singing tone;

· folk choirs- singing in a folk manner.

Based on the number of participants there are:

· chamber choirs-- from 12 to 30-50 participants;

· large choirs-- from 50 to 120 participants;

· combined choirs-- up to 1000 participants, gathered temporarily from different teams. Such compositions have the status of “happening performance” and do not actually belong to the performing arts, since they represent rather a propaganda and educational direction.

Choirs can have different statuses.

· Professional choirs. They can be either independent or supported by the state. Consists of professional singers. Conduct regular concert activities.

· Amateur choirs unites people for whom singing in a choir is a hobby. They can exist at cultural palaces, clubs, municipalities, organizations and institutions, non-musical educational institutions(a very common form), etc.: student choir, staff choir, veterans choir.

· Church choirs. Their main activity is participation in church services. Church choirs of high musical level may also conduct concert activities. Both professionals and amateurs sing in church choirs. Artistic director The director of the church choir must be not only a choirmaster, but also an expert in church services.

· Academic choirs exist in music educational institutions (music pedagogical schools, colleges, conservatories, music academies, institutes of art and culture, etc.), training professional personnel in the field of choral art and music education

From floor-length arafans, kokoshniks and song art. Russian folk choirs with the title “academic” - as recognition highest level stagecraft. Read more about the path of the “populists” at big stage- Natalya Letnikova.

Kuban Cossack Choir

200 years of history. The songs of the Cossacks are either a horse march or a walking sortie to “Marusya, one, two, three...” with a valiant whistle. 1811 - the year the first one was created choir group in Russia. Alive historical monument carried through the centuries Kuban history and singing traditions Cossack army. At the origins were the spiritual educator of Kuban, Archpriest Kirill Rossinsky and regent Grigory Grechinsky. Since the middle of the 19th century, the group not only participated in divine services, but also gave secular concerts in the spirit of reckless Cossack freemen and, according to Yesenin, “merry melancholy.”

Choir named after Mitrofan Pyatnitsky

A team that has proudly called itself “peasant” for a century now. And let them perform on stage today professional artists, and not the usual vociferous Great Russian peasants from Ryazan, Voronezh and other provinces - the choir represents folk song in amazing harmony and beauty. Every performance causes admiration, just like a hundred years ago. The first concert of the peasant choir took place in the hall of the Noble Assembly. The audience, including Rachmaninov, Chaliapin, Bunin, left the performance shocked.

Northern Folk Choir

A simple rural teacher Antonina Kolotilova lived in Veliky Ustyug. She gathered folk song lovers for handicrafts. On a February evening they sewed linen for orphanage: “The even, soft light falling from the lightning lamp created a special coziness. And outside the window the February bad weather was raging, the wind whistled in the chimney, rattled the boards on the roof, threw snow flakes at the window. This discrepancy between the warmth of a cozy room and the howling of a snow blizzard made my soul a little sad. And suddenly a song began to sound, sad, drawn-out...” This is how the northern chant sounds - 90 years. Already from the stage.

Ryazan Folk Choir named after Evgeniy Popov

Yesenin's songs. In the homeland of the main singer of the Russian land, his poems are sung. Melodic, piercing, exciting. Where the white birch is either a tree or a girl frozen on the high bank of the Oka. And the poplar is certainly “silver and bright.” A choir was created based on a rural folklore ensemble the village of Bolshaya Zhuravinka, which has been performing since 1932. Ryazan choir lucky. The leader of the group, Evgeny Popov, himself wrote music for the poems of his fellow countryman, who had an amazing sense of beauty. They sing these songs as if they are talking about their lives. Warm and gentle.

Siberian folk choir

Choir, ballet, orchestra, children's studio. The Siberian choir is multifaceted and in tune with the frosty wind. Concert program"The Coachman's Tale" is based on musical, song and choreographic material Siberian region, like many of the group’s stage sketches. The creativity of Siberians has been seen in 50 countries around the world - from Germany and Belgium to Mongolia and Korea. What they live about is what they sing about. First in Siberia, and then throughout the country. What happened with Nikolai Kudrin’s song “Bread is the Head of Everything,” which was first performed by the Siberian Choir.

Voronezh Russian Folk Choir named after Konstantin Massalinov

Songs in the front line in those hard days, when, it would seem, there is no time for creativity at all. The Voronezh choir appeared in the workers' village of Anna at the height of the Great Patriotic War- in 1943. The first to hear the songs of the new band were in military units. First big concert- with tears in his eyes - he passed through Voronezh liberated from the Germans. The repertoire includes lyrical songs and ditties that are known and loved in Russia. Thanks also to famous soloist Voronezh Choir - Maria Mordasova.

Volga Folk Choir named after Pyotr Miloslavov

“A steppe wind walks across the stage of the Chatelet Theater and brings us the aroma of original songs and dances,”- wrote the French newspaper L’Umanite in 1958. Samara town introduced the Volga region's song heritage to the French. Performer - Volzhsky folk choir, created by decision of the Government of the RSFSR in 1952 by Pyotr Miloslavov. A leisurely and soulful life along the banks of the great Volga and on stage. In the team I started my creative path Ekaterina Shavrina. The song “Snow White Cherry” was performed for the first time by the Volga Choir.

Omsk Folk Choir

Bear with a balalaika. The emblem of the famous team is well known both in Russia and abroad. “Love and pride of the Siberian land,” as critics dubbed the group on one of their foreign trips. “The Omsk Folk Choir cannot only be called a restorer and custodian of old folk songs. He himself is a living embodiment folk art our days"- wrote British The Daily Telegraph. The repertoire is based on Siberian songs recorded by the founder of the group, Elena Kalugina, half a century ago and bright pictures from life. For example, the suite “Winter Siberian Fun”.

Ural Folk Choir

Performances at the fronts and in hospitals. The Urals not only provided the country with metal, but also raised morale with whirlwind dances and round dances, the richest folklore material of the Ural land. Under the Sverdlovsk Philharmonic they united amateur groups the surrounding villages of Izmodenovo, Pokrovskoye, Katarach, Laya. “Our genre is alive”, - they say in the team today. And preserving this life is considered the main task. Like the famous Ural “Seven”. “Drobushki” and “barabushki” have been on stage for 70 years. Not a dance, but a dance. Eager and daring.

Orenburg Folk Choir

Down scarf as part stage costume. Fluffy lace intertwined with folk songs and in a round dance - as part of the life of the Orenburg Cossacks. The team was created in 1958 to preserve unique culture and rituals that exist “on the edge of vast Rus', along the banks of the Urals.” Every performance is like a performance. They perform not only the songs that the people composed. Even at the dances literary basis. “When the Cossacks Cry” is a choreographic composition based on a story by Mikhail Sholokhov from the life of village residents. However, every song or dance has its own story.