What cantata - a genre or a single work?And what sphere of human creativity, it refers?Literature?Music?Often confused with the cantata oratorio, sonata or madrigals.In this article we look at when the genre was born and how it developed.Note famous examples cantatas, we examine how the church works of pure, aesthetic design of the sermon, it has become an independent, a musical performed at the Philharmonic.And of course, we will pay some attention to the cantatas of Johann Sebastian Bach, who raised them to a higher level of development.
Origin
historical roots of the genre to be found in the Middle Ages.The poetry of the troubadours practiced execution recitative poems with musical accompaniment.Recitation was dealing with serious themes - historical events of spiritual reflection.Later lyrics, performed solo, I began to go to the music.In fact, the genre is crystallized in Italy, at the end of the XVI century.Even the name carries a Romanesque roots: the verb «cantare» means "sing."In the days of the High Renaissance it was, above all, music.But what is the cantata, and how it differs from a simple song?Firstly, the solemn and serious theme verse.Secondly, the text had previously secondary importance compared with the music, at least initially.But as the verses were still, cantata became distinguished from Sonata - a simple tool works.
Development genre
Like any creation of human genius, the cantata has steadily evolved.At first, a musical genre included only one vocal number, playing solo.This product became known as Madrigal.Since the first half of the XVII century on the development of the genre is very influenced opera.Determining what the cantata, was more complex.The structure of a piece of music began to include several solo numbers, as well as arias, recitatives, duets, chorus and orchestral accompaniment.Deep content of the serious nature of the text and the music remains unchanged characteristic of the genre.Therefore cantata never performed in theaters.This product does not require any scenery or costumes.There is also no role.This cantata is significantly different from the opera, though the orchestra it is the protagonist of all the action.
musical accompaniment liturgy
on Council of Trent, held in the XVI century, the ecclesiastical authorities decided to strengthen the aesthetic side of worship to attract the faithful.Over time, the Gregorian Chapel - choir, performs works without musical accompaniment - was replaced by the body.His music began to take shape oratorio - from the Latin word «orare», which means "to pray."These products were designed to emphasize the emotional lyrics sermon priest or read passages from the Bible.Since then, as GFHandel wrote the oratorio concert, the music began to write and to secular temy.Sleduet say cantatas were also included in the aesthetic design of Catholic and Protestant worship.After all, their content can be both secular and spiritual.So what is the oratorio and cantata, what is their main difference?It's not so easy to define.We can say that in the oratorio solo arias are often tied to the roles of its overall performance more dramatically.The cantata is a lyrical element predominates, and the arias are not tied to any particular person.
Bach Cantatas
on the development of the genre was greatly influenced by Carissimi, and some researchers are even inclined to consider him the creator of this syncretic art form, joining a musical performance and a poem.But to those who gave the cantata on a completely different level, was Johann Sebastian Bach.That he joined the poetic and musical components in complete harmony with each other.Texts of his cantatas Bach drew from the works of 16-18 centuries.The spiritual heritage of German poetry as an extended period includes Protestant orthodoxy, and Franciscan mysticism and pietism, and even secular Baroque motifs.What's in the works of Bach cantata?This is a complex vocal-instrumental work consisting of several parts, each of which has its own rhythm, tempo and tact.The genius composer wrote the music for these works without departing from the sacred texts.We do not understand, for example, the "St. Matthew Passion", if you do not read a text of arias.At the same time the music allows us to re-think the Biblical tale, deeply feel it.
literary genre
We have already discussed that this cantata music.But since it was originally a syncretic form of creativity, it is easy to assume that someday it will perform without musical accompaniment.The seriousness of the subject matter and the exaltation of events or character brought together in a cantata with an ode to poetry.As a literary work, it resembles a madrigal or a eulogy.Often written cantata "in case" - the ascent to the throne or the anniversary of major events.The literature also seen the development of this genre.So, over time, from the category of "court poetry" Cantata moved to more easily and naturally forms.Sometimes she even takes on the features of love poetry (think Pushkin's "Leda").But, however, reserves the mainstream cantata serious and pathetic subjects.Glazunov wrote cantatas for the centenary of the birth of Pushkin, Balakirev - the opening of a monument to Glinka.In the era of Stalin's empire, this genre was also very popular.Thus, N. Myaskovsky wrote the cantata "Kirov Us" on the death of the politician.
Cantata: definition
Thus, this term has several meanings.The music is as a genre, or a work written in this vein.Cantata is close to the speaker, it involves the orchestra, choir and soloists.This is a large, complex work consisting of several parts of different rhythms.As for literature, the cantata - a poem written on the auspicious occasion.Just like the poem, it consists of several parts.But the theme of the cantata is not in the narrative, and glorified.
