Comprehension of specifics of lyricism in Ukrainian and French songs as a component of work with the students-vocalists of Popular Music and Jazz specialization
Authors: Tymoshenko A.V. 
Published: July 2019

Background. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the phenomenon of lyricism in Ukrainian musicology. This growth is more so conspicuous given that in the Soviet Musical Encyclopedia this term was omitted, and now it is the pivot of various researches, up to Ph. D. dissertations [7]. There is also a tendency to use this term regarding not only to vocal, but to instrumental music as well, including works lacking noticeable traits of lyrical mood. Works devoted to literature contain valuable information on lyricism, including remarks on the apprehension of this phenomenon in France. On the other side, there are no special researches devoted to incarnation of lyricism in different cultures of pop singing based on their comparison. The objective of research is to reveal specifics of lyricism in Ukrainian and French songs and to apply the results received to the of work with the students of Popular Music and Jazz Department. Methods. To reach that objective, eight songs have been considered. Although these songs belong to different cultures (Ukrainian and French), they are bound the similar plot basics; they pertain to love poetry, and each of them in some way embodies themes of detachment, remembrance, confession of love etc. The main aspect taken into consideration was whether the song leans towards open expression of feeling or no, when the feelings of lyrical hero (even very strong) are kept inside him; and in what way that correlates with the song being French or Ukrainian. Results. Having considering these songs, we were able to state similarities and differences between them. The song “Kohana” (“Beloved”) combines lyrical extraversion with optimistic mood. Plentiful hints about future allow understanding of this song as an open declaration of joy, caused by mutual love. Hence, firm belief in happy future should be represented with active and strong voice. Contrary to that, the song “Ochi voloshkovi” (“Cornflower-blue Eyes”) directs into the past as a reminiscence of pleasant days of happiness. Clearly defined initial nostalgic mood gradually shifts into a tragic one as it becomes clear, that hero’s hopes for future cannot be fulfilled. In this case, emphatic affirmative intonation would be perceived as an illusion. The song “Kvity romena” (“Flowers of chamomile”) represents another pole of Ukrainian songs as it lacks tragic mood or confessions. The text of the song hasn’t any conflicts, and that causes “unproblematic” performing tone. The poetic text differs from the previous two songs as it relies less on a parallelism between nature and state of the soul and uses more complicated methods, such as assonances and more elaborated system of metaphors (the chamomile, initially standing for the soul of the hero, later becomes a symbol of love). Overall, this song characterizes not by “experiencing”, but by representation. The main motive of the song “Dead Leaves” (“Les feuilles mortes”) is remembrance, but not only of the past times, but also of the song, which the lyrical hero used to sing with his beloved. The structure of “Les feuilles mortes” is quite original as it consists of two parts: introduction with clearly defined speech basis, and the main part, where vocal plays bigger role. This reminds of traditional opera form “Recitativo e Aria”, where both parts might be not joined by the same thematic material. “Les feuilles mortes” doesn`t bear conflict as the idea that love cannot be returned is accepted rather calmly, without outburst of lamentation. The “flow” of music is rather smooth as it lacks sudden modulations and unusual intonations; that creates an atmosphere of tranquil reminiscence. The opposite attitude about love is enshrined in the song “The snow is falling” (“Tombe la neige”), where the snow stands for cold and dispassionate reality as well as of the state of soul of lyrical hero. The unity of these meanings is emphasized in the words “Blanche solitude” (“White solitude”), and their opposition – in the contrast of desperate cry and indifferent descent of snow. The melody of song is quite special as it has a pause after each line that creates the effect of woeful sighs. The simplicity of the harmony emphases relentless despair of the hero; thus, the song demonstrates an example of “limitation of expressive possibilities”. In the song “Nathalie” lyricism is combined with narrative features as the song is, basically, the recital of the story of the visit of the French tourist to the Moscow during the Soviet era. Here, the sound-painting is used: to portray the party of Russian students, the orchestra resembling Russian folk instruments is used and gradual acceleration of the tempo creates an allusion to traditional Russian dances. In the last part of the song potentially dramatic phrase “My life appears empty” doesn’t cause culmination as it would do on Ukrainian song – solitude taken just as fact of reality. The conclusion is drawn that the lyricism of Ukrainian songs is mostly inclined to the “pure” type with its open emotionality, and that of French songs – by the synthesis with another moduses of expression (such as narrative, pondering, reminiscence etc.). This difference is visible even more due to the similarities of the poetic texts. The Ukrainian songs usually have more opened form of emotional expression, with illusion of “experiencing”, while the French songs are marked by quite reserved feelings or usage of the change of their intensity as a mean of expression. In the latter case, expressiveness is reached often by another means, which often require more intellectual perception (complicated and refined poetic symbols, music closely following the text, poetic techniques etc.). Although of considered song groups includes those seemingly negating these conclusions (“Kvity romena”, “Tombe la neige”), they can be regarded as exceptions from the general rule that is inevitable and natural in the functioning of “living” artistic culture. Nevertheless, both national cultures share understanding of lyricism as expression of feelings. Comprehension of specifics of lyricism in Ukrainian and French songs will allow the students in their practical work to choose the degree of revealing of emotions suitable to the essence of the performed songs; that, subsequently, will result in the performance being stylistically loyal. At the same time, similarities in interpretation of lyricism allow to overcome any cultural or language barriers.