Composers of the 19th-20th Centuries. For men's choir a cappella

A series of five choir collections issued by the “Compozitor Publishing House • Saint-Petersburg” is arranged to coincide with the 7th International Competition for Young Choral Conductors to be held in Russia for the first time ever. The competition will be organized by the St. Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts and the Center for international cooperation “Inter Aspect” in conjunction with the European Choral Association — Europa Cantat (April 3–6, 2013, St. Petersburg).

The collection “Сomposers of the 19th–20th centuries for men’s choir a cappella” contains њuvres of four authors. These are two Russians — P. Tchaikovsky and his disciple S. Taneyev, a German — F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy and an Austrian — F. Schubert.

Works imbued with the spirit of romanticism will certainly embellish any concert program for male choir, which is a unique instrument, but, alas, quite rare compared to mixed choir and even to female choir. Performing Mendelssohn’s and Schubert’s miniatures written in the song form requires a great amount of musical instinct so as to enliven this musical form, starting out from textual penetration.

P. Tchaikovsky’s work “Why, revelry’s voice, are you still?..” set to great A. S. Pushkin’s verses is one of the glories of his a cappella choral music.
“The dead Ships” written by S. Taneyev in the recognizable “Taneyev” manner involving imitative polyphony, dynamic movement and drama are marked by an efficient display of potential and vibrancy of male choir sounding.

I hope that you will enjoy both performing and listening to these vivid examples of the XIX century music.

Sergei Yekimov

Contents:

F. Schubert. DER ENTFERNTEN. Verses by J. G. von Salis (Music text example)
F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. IM SÜDEN. From the cycle “Four Songs for Men’s Choir”. Verses by the unknown poet. Op. 120
P. Tchaikovsky. WHY, REVELRY’S VOICE, ARE YOU STILL?.. Verses by A. Pushkin
S. Taneyev. THE DEAD SHIPS. From the cycle “Sixteen Choruses to the Verses by K. Balmont for Men’s Voices”
Supplement. English translation of the Russian texts