MINIATURES OF SPIRITUAL CONTENT IN THE WORKS BY COMPOSERS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Abstract

Music composed on biblical themes and addressing religious texts presents the composer with tasks of the highest order in expressing true devotion to faith, spirituality, and their optimal interpretation through elements of mastery such as intonation, texture, harmony, form, etc., sometimes even through barely perceptible "sounding" pauses, whose role is indispensable: they (pauses) can "open," enliven, and complement the spoken word, giving it a special power and new meaning, coloring the associative moments in the perception of listeners. Working with spiritual texts, as a direct contact with the Word of God, requires highlighting truthfulness, usefulness, and the necessity of initiating a spiritual dialogue and further development of it, with the composer’s professional skill and life principles serving as the foundation.

The author analyzes works by the following composers: Zlata Tkach (И лишь Земля незыблема вовеки / E only the Earth remains unshaken forever for mixed choir a cappella), Ghenadie Ciobanu (Tatăl nostru / Our Father for mixed choir a cappella and the chant Vrednică eşti / Worthy are You), Dmitry Kitenko (O’ Beata for mixed choir a cappella and Mariengebet for female choir and sextet), among others.

In the works of Moldovan composers who have addressed spiritual texts, there is a point of reference that determines the specific significance of the events reflected in their compositions. Regardless the way the composers are different in their methods of presenting the musical material, its development, the use of individual compositional techniques, or their understanding of the assigned tasks are, a solid foundation for them is the eternal aspiration towards questions of existence, philosophical reflection on life, and the joy of touching spiritual truth, which is conveyed to the listeners. Such music, in its best examples, continues to embody the most important and universal ideas and emotions across various genres and conceptual frameworks.