The specifics of vocal training and pedagogical activities of S. Yu. Motte at Kharkiv Music School (1885–1901)

Abstract

The purpose of the publication is to determine the specifics of vocal training in S. Yu. Motte’s singing class at Kharkiv Music School as a functional structure of the Kharkiv branch of the Russian Musical Society (RMS) during 1885–1901.
 The methodology. Since the specifics of the functioning of vocal art at Kharkiv Music School during 1885–1901 is examined in the scientific discourse for the first time, the methodological basis of the article is the method of comparative analysis, the application of which made it possible to reveal the peculiarities of professional training and further professional self-realization of pupils of S. Motte’s singing class. The determination of S. Motte’s approaches as a vocalist-pedagogue to the development of the voice was carried out on the basis of the analysis of the performing practice of her students within the framework of the application of systematicity principle.
 The results. On the basis of analysis of music reviews in the Kharkiv press during 1877–1901 and reports of the Kharkiv branch of the RMS, both the level of S. Motte’s vocal mastery, which became the foundation for understanding the methodology of working with a voice and the teacher’s professional approaches to vocal training of the students of Kharkiv Music School, are investigated. The basis of the generalizations was the analysis of the repertoire performed by S. Motte and her students Y. Reider, M. Mykhailova, M. Poliakova, L. Kurochkyna, and others at public events as the material that was used to study the singing voice. The article highlights the role of S. Motte in understanding the professional requirements for a vocalist graduating from Kharkiv Music School; she formalised the content of the vocal qualification exam.
 The scientific novelty. It is proved that during her teaching activities at Kharkiv Music School, S. Motte showed her pedagogical talent, educating specialists capable of successfully conducting vocal performance and pedagogical functions at a sufficiently professional level within a certain period and the regulated educational process. Such a level of education was ensured by studying the voice on musical material, which consisted of instructional texts and chamber repertoire popular on the concert stage, which provided the technology of vocal training and mastering the culture of singing, and European opera music as a criterion of vocal mastery.
 The practical significance. Clarifying the logic of the formation and functioning of certain signs of professional voice reproduction of a musical text within certain chronological and cultural boundaries will contribute to the improvement of the process of understanding the phenomena of the musical culture of Kharkiv on the one hand, and of the vocal art of Ukraine on the other hand.