Art of choral conducting: features, current state, prospects

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to reveal the characteristics of one of the most complex types of musical performance – the art of choral conducting, its current state, and development prospects. Research Methodology. The article uses the following methods: the systematic method – to highlight choral conducting as a type of performance activity that includes a number of inseparable elements, such as organisational, technical, interpretative; the structural and functional method – to understand the technique of choral conducting as an art of non-verbal communication. Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the fact that the art of choral conducting is highly demanded in the musical world, and the profession of a choral conductor is multifunctional. Conclusions. At the centre of choral conducting is the choirmaster, who must possess not only high musical and artistic abilities but also be a teacher, psychologist, organiser, manager, with strong emotional and volitional drive, expressive facial expressions, and perfect manual technique. Their main creative task is to build their own performing concept of a choral piece. In the complex perceptual link “poet – composer – conductor – choir – listener”, the conductor has the most responsible creative task: to “reveal” the artistic image of the work, thereby captivating the singers and audience with a convincing interpretation. Thus, the choirmaster combines the functions of artistic leader of the vocal ensemble and “educator” of the audience’s musical taste. Additionally, the conductor is a sensitive catalyst of musical ideas and intonations formed by time, era, society – composer and listener. The art of choral conducting involves reinterpreting musical material, rephrasing it using new techniques and forms of conducting performance. It is a universal art that constantly evolves, meeting the demands of Ukrainian society.