In music, kant is a kind of everyday polyphonic song. It is widely used in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. What is the reason for the appearance of edging? Where does this professional genre come from? What characteristic features are inherent in it? These and a number of other issues are of interest not only to a narrow circle of specialists, but also to inquisitive personalities who like musical art.
Choral music
Before considering the question “what is the edge in music?”, One should consider the choral performance as a whole. Choral music can be of several types: folk, cult, secular, professional. In musical folklore, choral singing exists in the form of a folk song. Compositions can be both closed structure (artistically finished), and open.
Choral music is distinguished by certain signs. Firstly, by the type of polyphony: homophony, heterophony or polyphony. Secondly, according to the cast: unaccompanied (a'capella), with solo singing or with accompaniment (instrumental music).
Choral compositions can be either part of larger works, or a completely independent composition. Widespread are various types of choral treatments, which are used to this day. This is arrangement, transcription, as well as harmonization.
Of great importance for the development of choral culture was the art of Ancient Greece, Byzantium, India and Egypt. The collapse of Christianity into Orthodoxy and Catholicism was reflected in the cult and secular evolution. In the Middle Ages, a type of early polyphony appeared, called the organum. Various monasteries and cathedrals of major European cities are becoming centers for church choral music. At universities, student songs and secular motets are increasingly heard.
Choral singing (polyphony) is flourishing in the Renaissance. The principles of the integrity of the musical composition are affirmed, various secular forms are widely spread, new genres appear (motet, madrigal, mass, magnificat, chanson). The creativity of the masters of the Dutch school played a significant role in the evolution of choral music. Among the most important representatives should be noted Dufay, Depre, Izak, Obrecht, Okegem.
The main technical techniques and aesthetic principles of the masters of the Dutch school were manifested in the works of Lasso, Gabrielle, Palestrina, Monteverdi and others. The key point was the emergence of the opera. This served as the final separation of choral music from the church. Under the influence of this synthetic genre, cantatas and oratorios formed.
What is edging in music?
As mentioned above, this is a kind of household polyphonic song. Since the middle of the 17th century, syllabic poetry has been rapidly developing throughout Russia. In this regard, edging appears as a professional genre. Initially, they were written primarily in religious texts and were called psalms.
The early editions contain a complex intonation system, in which Russian and Ukrainian folk songs, Polish melodies and the famous chant are closely intertwined. They come in various thematic content and are often referred to as songs.
Over time, their intonation system significantly enriched. Organically interwoven elements of existing folk songs and dance forms. Some varieties of edging firmly enter the oral folk tradition.
The origins of edgings
Not everyone knows the meaning of the word "edging." Translated from Latin - "singing". Their origins begin with the musical culture of Poland. From the middle of the XVI century they were called "kantechke". They were widely used in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus in the 16th-17th centuries. Their subjects were quite diverse. Spiritual edging became very popular among the clergy in the second half of the 17th century. These are "penitential" or "edifying" chants. They were performed at a calm and leisurely pace. They had a measured rhythm and a choral warehouse.
Part singing
Developed in parallel with edging. Such chants were intended for four, six, eight, twelve or more voices. Their number reached twenty four and forty eight. The most developed form of polyphonic singing was spiritual concerts. They sounded during the festive service. Thanks to the concerts, a new notation has appeared, which exists to this day. This is a five-line musical stave. And if before the appearance of the partisan style there were hooks, then during this period there is a need for accurate recording of harmonic polyphony. From now on, each note denotes a specific pitch and duration.
Part-works were created by many composers. However, the most famous are Nikolai Diletsky, Vasily Titov, Nikolai Kalashnikov, Dmitry Berezovsky and Dmitry Bortnyansky.
From Psalms to Kant
Psalms, unlike church psalms, were intended for home music making. They did not fulfill the function of prayers; their order was not strictly regulated. Therefore, they quickly became commonplace and became popular in the 17th century in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Samples of this genre can be found in the collection of "Months" by Simeon of Polotsk. Music for the texts was written by Vasily Titov.
The Psalm is an extremely important step in the transition from church music to secular. In particular, to the genre of lyrical edging. Sometimes the meanings of these words are identical.
Characteristic features: three-voice movement, presentation of the two upper voices in parallel thirds, reference bass, harmonic skeleton. All this will become the main features of Kant in the XVIII century.
The form of the psalms is two-part, it is repelled from the semantic load of the poetic text. The nature of the music can be varied - from prayer and complaint to praise and reflection.
Kant in the era of Peter I
During this period of time, edgings on patriotic themes occupy a special place. They are rightfully considered a popular mass genre, sound at official celebrations, and are dedicated to military victories and important events in public life. Under Peter I triumphal gates were erected. This happened on Moscow and later St. Petersburg streets on the occasion of the battles won. The winners were met at the gates by the choirs of singers and solemn fanfares of military bands.
Panegyric and Viva Edges
The chants were created specially and performed in honor of the king and his commanders. At this time, the name of the edgings appeared as "panegyric" and "viva". Translated from the Greek panhgurikoz is a song of praise, excessive praise. Translated from Latin vivat means "long live." The singing of such edging was combined with the reading of "laudable words", alternated with the ringing of bells or a shot of guns, and was also accompanied by a play on brass instruments. In music, edging is one of the important chants that is often found in home life. They sounded after welcoming and solemn speeches, as a toast. Panegyric editions were included in the plays of school theaters in St. Petersburg and Moscow.
The characteristic features of edgings
The main feature of the musical component of the edging is a three-voice exposition with parallel movements of the two upper voices. Independent bass acts as a harmonic basis. The melody is saturated with the intonations of the znamenny chant, as well as Russian, Belarusian, Polish and Ukrainian folk songs. If we look at the Petrine era, then in music kant is a song that often used fanfare intonations, reminiscent of military signals in sound. Festive and solemn character was given by chants-anniversaries on the words “Vivat!”, As well as a clear rhythm of the march. For a long time the marching-choral genre prevailed. Kant replaced the contemplative-chanted forms brought melos in motion, clear and elastic rhythms, a syllabic meter.
The heyday of the genre. Text Writers
The edging receives the highest flowering by the middle of the 18th century. At this time, lyrical, historical and comic chants appear. They retained their popularity until the beginning of the 19th century. The best writers of their time were authors of texts. Among them: M.V. Lomonosov, A.P. Sumarokov, V.K. Trediakovsky.
The authorship of music was often assigned to poets. This was due to the fact that in the manuscript collections (by tradition) the names of the composers were not indicated. The tradition of performing kant on famous tunes has long existed, almost from the moment they appeared in music. Kant is also a text version preserved in manuscript collections. Most of them wandered from one collection to another, and the chants of many edgings were available in several versions.
How were the edging performed?
Most often, they sounded without musical accompaniment (accompaniment). That is, a'capella was performed. However, everything depended on the subject of a work. In some cases, the bass (or the entire texture) was duplicated on various instruments.
Some edifying and penitential examples of edging were performed on the organ. Panegyric - on wind instruments. Pastoral or love affairs were accompanied by playing the guitar, harpsichord, lute or piano.
The influence of folklore
Comic edgings are the clearest example of the influence of folklore on this professional genre. A large number of urban folk songs can be found in manuscript collections of the 60-70s of the XVIII century. These samples are considered the earliest form of fixing folk songwriting. On the basis of handwritten collections in the 70-80s, printed collections of songs were created. As a result of the interaction of the urban folk song and Kant, significant transformations took place in these genres. The song clearly showed stylistic features: the structure of the melody, the texture. The richness of rhythm and forms, a variety of subjects acquired edging. The significance and influence of folklore, as we see, is undeniable.
Russian orthodox church singing
With the concept of Orthodoxy, possible perfection is closely related. Such a service is considered the best and ideal on earth. The voice, as the sound organ of the human soul, is chosen to glorify God. Orthodox singing is a collection of church-liturgical songs. Their text is written by enlightened songwriters, they are also crucified. The melody has its own characteristics. It reflects the national character, the psychology of the people, living conditions and other points. About a thousand years ago, our great-grandfathers adopted Holy Orthodoxy from the Eastern Byzantine Church. His text was translated by the well-known saints Cyril and Methodius. And over time, Orthodox Russia itself translated the melody. This translation lasted for several centuries, as it was actually a new melodic language. It reflected Russian Orthodox singing. Actually, Orthodoxy itself was strengthened, grown and finally formed during this time.
Thus, choral music is of several types, and it is distinguished by certain signs. Choral polyphony existed in the Middle Ages, and in the Renaissance it flourishes. The basic techniques and aesthetic principles were laid down by the masters of the Dutch school and their followers.
The article addressed the main question posed at the beginning - "what does edging mean?" Its origins, characteristics and types were revealed. It is noteworthy that the heyday of the genre fell on the XVIII century, which is considered to be the century of reason and enlightenment.