Aesthetics of Choral Interpretation - OINS6H201B

• Title: Aesthetics of Choral Interpretation
• Form of teaching: lecture
• Guaranteed by: Katedra hudební výchovy (41-KHV)
• Faculty: Faculty of Education
• Actual: from 2025
• Duration in semesters: 1
• Semester: winter
• E-Credits: 2
• Examination process: winter s.:
• Hours per week, examination: winter s.:1/0, MC [HT]
• Capacity: unknown / unknown (unknown)
• Maximum number of enrolled students: unlimited
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: not taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Repeated enrollment: 2 / 2 / 3 / 2
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment; priority enrollment if the course is part of the study plan
• Guarantor: Mgr. Čeněk Svoboda, Ph.D.

Annotation

The subject Aesthetics of Choral Interpretation increases the erudition of future choir conductors in the field of interpretation. It is based on theoretical foundations, touches on the current topic of the so-called historically informed interpretation and applies the acquired knowledge to comparative interpretative analyzes of selected choral compositions. The course also includes a visit to a selected choir festival, performance evaluation of individual choirs and an analysis seminar. The lessons take place mainly in the form of a discussion with the aim of comparing interpretative opinions on the basis of theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

Last update: Battistová Eva, PaedDr. (29.02.2024)

Aim of the course

• Define the concept of aesthetics of interpretation and know why it needs to be addressed
• To be able to understand the content of a text in relation to the nature of a choral composition, and to be able to seek the historical or thematic context of a vocal text.
• Realise interpretative solutions to basic aesthetic concepts - dynamics, metre, tempo, rhythm.
• Acquire the ability to match specific compositions of different eras and focuses to the appropriate vocal ensemble.
• To know the advantages and pitfalls of different spatial solutions to the position of the choir, including the relationship to different types of scoring from the five-part madrigal, to the double choir with bass continuo, to the large philharmonic choir.
• Understand the choir as an organism, navigating the different typologies of human voices, the internal dynamics of the choir, and the differences and maladies of different choral groups.
• To learn different performance approaches to different genres of choral music and historical periods of music.

Last update: Stříteská Leona, PhDr., Ph.D. (05.03.2024)

Literature

Stephen Downes: Aesthetics of Music: Musicological Perspectives. ISBN 9780203136348, 2014.

Levitin, Daniel: This is Your Brain on Music: Understanding a Human Obsession. Atlantic Books, ISBN 1843547163, 2008.

 Thompson, William, Forde: Music, Thought, and Feeling: Understanding the Psychology of Music. Oxford University Press, ISBN-10 : 0195377079, ISBN-13 : 978-0195377071, 2008.

 Broomhead, Paul: What is Music Literacy? Routledge, ISBN-10 : 1138299154, ISBN-13 : 978-1138299153, 2018.

 Mantel, G. Interpretation. Vom Text zum Klang. Mainz : SCHOTT MUSIC GmbH & Co KG, 2007.

Last update: Battistová Eva, PaedDr. (29.02.2024)

Syllabus

What is the aesthetics of interpretation and why should we pay attention to it.

The role of text, context and articulation, affect theory.

General concept of dynamics, how to interpret different variations of meter, two ways of marking tempo.

How to work with different types of ensemble, ideal position in the concert space.

Different typologies of voices and how to work with them in the choir, typical ailments of various choral groups.

Different concepts and interpretations in different historical periods and genres.

Last update: Stříteská Leona, PhDr., Ph.D. (05.03.2024)