MODERN LITURGICAL AND CHORAL ART OF GERMANY: A REGIONAL ASPECT

Abstract

The purpose of the article. Introduction of the features of modern liturgical and choral art of Germany on the example of the choir of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary in the city of Wolnzach (Pfaffenhofen district on Ilma, Bavaria).
Methodology. The following research methods are used in the article: the study of the source base, choirmaster analysis, pedagogical analysis, and interviewing of representatives of the liturgical and choral culture of Wolnzach.
Scientific novelty. The names of outstanding figures of the modern liturgical and choral culture of Bavaria – Astrid Elender, Rudolf Fischer, Monika Chuschke – were introduced in the scientific circulation for the first time, and the repertoire of the choir of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary in the city of Wolnzach was analyzed. A pedagogical analysis of advanced training courses for cantors of church choirs (Kantorengesang im Gottendinst – Cantor sings at liturgy) is presented, and their role in the professionalization of liturgical and choral art of the region is emphasized. The possibility of using the publication materials in the teaching of the «History of World Music» for students of the specialty 025 Musical Art of the first (bachelor's) level of higher education at T. H. Shevchenko National University «Chernihiv Colehium» has been confirmed.
Conclusions. The analysis of modern liturgical and choral art of Germany from the standpoint of music regionalism (on the example of the choir of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary in Wolnzach) allows us to summarize the following: 1. Liturgical and choral art takes a prominent place in the modern musical and performing culture of Bavaria; 2. Church singing consolidates local performing resources for the realization of highly artistic works of the world choral heritage; 3. The activity of the choir of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary in Wolnzach is based on increased attention to the organization of rehearsal work, singers’ professional training, and improvement of their qualifications. In particular, this is facilitated by the Diocesan Administration holding the annual summer gatherings «Kantoren gesang im Gottesdienst» (The Cantor sings at the liturgy) in Regensburg.
The article examines the peculiarities of modern liturgical and choral art of Germany on the example of the choir of the Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary in the city of Wolnzach (Pfaffenhofen district on Ilma, Bavaria). The basis of the research is choral and pedagogical analysis, with the help of which the formation of the repertoire of the choir, the organization of rehearsal work, and the cantors’ qualifications improvement are put. It is emphasized that musical regionalism has a positive influence on the formation of the international artistic discourse – in
particular, it contributes to the in-depth study of the modern liturgical and choral culture of Bavaria and allows comparing it with the Chernihiv region.