A folk song in the repertory of a vocalist as the way of forming multicultural performing traditions
Authors: Boldyrev Volodymir 
Published: May 2019

Background. The article is devoted to the scientific-methodical analysis of the phenomenon of a folk songs assimilation into the multicultural vocal tradition. A folk song is presented in the aspect of national self-consciousness and plurality of modern performing traditions in the conditions of multi-stylistic cultural attitude. The relevance of the topic is the theoretical comprehension of the role of a folk song and singing in multicultural context. The purpose of the research is a comprehension of the phenomenon of the folk songs assimilation in multicultural vocal traditions under the new wave of interest in national dimension of “West – East” and necessity of quality vocal education of rising Chinese students-vocalists. The article based on the studies of materials of curriculums, methodical elaborations and manuals developed in the department of solo singing at Kharkiv National I. P. Kotlyarevsky University of Arts. Research results. Modern multicultural performing traditions in conditions of expanding geography of creative experience exchange needs in new philosophical and scientific-methodical comprehension. Based on variety international cultural programs there are traineeship groups, exchange of students and teachers, presentations of common creative projects. The modern cultural background of Ukraine is enriched with unique concerts of Chinese students performing not only classical repertoire, but Chinese folk songs as well. Methodical comprehension of stylistic layers and ways of formation of multicultural traditions occurs according to the methods of comparison of general intonations in folk songs. Vocal methodic of sound extractions is founded on general grounds, regardless of national specificity, however, the comparison and plurality make the process of performing reproduction of vocal styles more accessible for comprehension by students. The issues of national certainty and vocal-technical skills, interpretative experience in the concert forms and singing genres are considered in the research. The innovative aspect of the topic disclosure is the involvement of Chinese folk songs and pieces by Chinese composers in interaction with pieces by Italian and Ukrainian composers in the repertory of the learning vocalists. The practical task is to reveal the multi-national potential of musical mindset of contemporary singers in the context of the steady tendency to the mental-stylistic plurality in the art of the 21st century. It is proved that the vocal-technical learning of general world experience occurs through the recognition of the plurality of stylistic features of folk songs. The folk song is the “cornerstone” of the performing tradition, the basis of the vocal repertoire of any national school. It is included in a composition of compulsory pieces for participation in national and international vocal competitions. Thanks to the folk song what is the carrier of the ancient information and performing features included by previous singer generations, a deep connection of the artist with folk-song traditions occurs. The category “folk singing” is a coherent entity that contains the minimum set of information what includes distinctive harmonic figures, instrumentation, texture, acoustic features of rendition. The traditional Chinese song, based on pentatonic scale, becomes an illustration of the national “general intonation”. "Sense" of an entire tone for the formation of the purity of vocal intonation assumes an exclusive meaning. The success in acquisition of pentatonic melodies is provided due to similarity of intonation sets what are typical for musical cultures of different nations over the world. The folk song in the repertoire of the learning vocalist is a reflection of the multicultural traditions in the conditions of the domination of academic vocal culture. The study of the melodics of the song and its harmony and form peculiarities contributes to the adaptation of the singer’s mindset to the alternative mental principles of vocal art and to the universalism of mindset in the forming of professional academic performing. The Chinese folk song, the Ukrainian duma, East mugham singing and other similar reflect the spiritual world of folk reproducing historical antiquity. Therefore, the folk song as an integral part of the modern repertoire in vast enriches the intonation, spiritually-aesthetic and cultural fund of a vocalist. The conclusions summarize the complexity of the problem, the components of which are the adapting of mindset to the alternative mental bases of vocal art and rising of universalism in conditions of multi-stylistic plurality. The bases of formation of multicultural traditions are generalized: the comparison of stylistic layers; exploring the general world experience through the national certainty (basic vocal repertoire as a synthesis of stylistic plurality); vocal-technical equipment, the comparison of melodic, harmonic and tempo-rhythmic principles of differrent folk songs; rendition of the folk song in the original language. All of these bases reveal the content of the movement to the formation of multicultural performing traditions in order to advance of the professional academic background.