Cantilena is What is cantilena in music?

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The word "cantilena" has different meanings. What does this word mean in music? What are the origins of the Russian cantilena and how did it influence the style of Russian singers? How to achieve cantilena in singing?

Meaning of the word "cantilena"

First of all, cantilena is a melodious melody that can be both instrumental and vocal. Secondly, it is the melodiousness, smoothness, fluidity of the music itself and its performance. Thirdly, these are the possibilities of the voice apparatus for the melodious performance of the written melody. It can also be sections of the Gregorian chant, mostly melodious. In the 9th and 10th centuries, these were liturgical chants set forth in the form of an organum. In Western Europe (13th-15th centuries) this was the name given to small vocal compositions of a secular nature. They were monophonic: epic, lyrical, humorous; polyphonic: love-lyrical; dance songs, instrumental forms. In the 16th and 17th centuries, a cantilena was already any vocal polyphonic work. From the end of the 17th century - a song or composition with a melodious melody of a calm nature.

Cantilena in music

This is a wide, free, melodious, flowing and connected performance of the melodic line. The technique used for this type of sound extraction is legato. With the correct technique of voice formation and sound leading, a cantilena performance is obtained. This does not affect the vibrato character. All this is achieved by good diction and aligned vowels. With polyphony, cantilena is much more difficult to achieve. The choir must be well prepared. Singers need to pay attention to articulation and diction.

Russian cantilena

Cantilena compositions by composers from different countries and eras carry certain intonations and some elements of national specificity. The Russian cantilena traces its origins to broad and melodious folk songs. Subsequently, in the works of Russian classical composers, deep psychological expressiveness was achieved. Under the influence of the cantilena, the vocal style of Russian singers was formed. Thanks to her, the mastery of the voice and its expressive possibilities are revealed.

How to achieve cantilena in singing

Sometimes when singing there is no integrity, the words are pronounced as if by syllables. This is due not only to breathing, but also to the incorrect singing of vowels. But some exercises will help to achieve the desired result. In singing, cantilena is a smooth transition from one vowel to another. To achieve the desired result, you should not force and stop putting too much pressure on the ligaments. You have to sing calmly. Then you can select different pieces (not higher than the note F of the first octave). Andsing words with melodic, semantic and dynamic lines. To sing phrases with various sound production: lowing, open mouth, nasal sonant A or lowing with an open mouth. You can also sing individual phrases while helping yourself with your hand. But this method should not be abused. Another exercise in order to get a good cantilena later is to present the melody in the form of three notes. The first is the movement from the beginning to the middle of the phrase. The second is the center. The third is the conclusion. For practice, you can take the first vocal from Zeidler or any romance for a middle voice. Sing them chest, but soft "hu", then to "N" and to "mooing". The most important thing is to try to catch the right tension while singing. Get rid of throat tension and forced sound.

Thus, the word "cantilena" has several meanings. They are all united by one thing - melodiousness. Not all singers manage to achieve cantilena sound. To achieve the desired result, it is necessary to monitor diction and articulation, sing calmly and freely, and work on various exercises.