| From: Margaret Harrison To: VOCALIST <vocalist> Subject: Re: Art song performing style Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>
LElectrica-at-aol.com wrote:
> This is a very broad question and open to lots of differences in opinion, but > what exactly is Art Song Style? I have had lots of theatrical experience, > but some comments I get in competitions point out that I perform art songs in > a pop style. When I say perform I mean gestures, not singing. I have been > told that it is a very intimate style, but I have never quite grasped the > real picture yet.
Without having seen or heard you, it's hard to answer that question, but I'll try anyway.
When I hear young singers perform art songs and think to myself "pop style", I usually am hearing pop VOCAL mannerisms, like sliding into notes, or singing notes a little ahead of the beat. I think most young singers aren't even aware they're doing this (unless their teachers have pointed it out to them). As a listener, I feel uncomfortable when I hear this type of singing in art songs, and feel like I want to hear only the notes the composer wrote. Whereas when I listen to someone singing pop music, I get annoyed if the singer is too "accurate", and omits the pop ornaments.
As far as physical appearance, in art song (as opposed to opera or any theatrical work), the singer is expected to remain fairly still (but never stiff), and communicate the ideas and emotions of the text with the voice and the face. Not everybody agrees with this approach to art song, but for a student, I think the best way is to learn to sing while still. Then, when the singer has mastered singing still and is a more accomplished artist, gestures and movement can be used in an appropriate manner. In any event, less physical movement is more in art song. If there's too much movement, I find myself watching the singer move rather than listening to the voice, music and text.
Perhaps you can think of art song as a small, but fine quality gemstone, whose beauty is best appreciated in a simple, graceful setting.
Peggy
-- Margaret Harrison, Alexandria, Virginia, USA "Music for a While Shall All Your Cares Beguile" mailto:peggyh-at-ix.netcom.com
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