San Diego, CA – November 10, 2010 – Musica Russica, a leading publisher of Russian choral music, announced today the release of the first ever published translation of Pavel Chesnokov’s pioneering treatise on choral conducting, The Choir and How to Direct It. Translator John C. Rommereim conveys Chesnokov’s text in fluent and readable English in this book, which is not only a valuable teaching guide for choral musicians today, but also offers a window into the inspiring history of performance practice in the legendary Russian choral tradition of the early twentieth century. Originally published in Russian in 1940, Musica Russica’s English edition will be available worldwide in November 2010.
 
An innovative and comprehensive guidebook on choral organization and conducting technique, the book also offers readers a fascinating look into the development of choral music, the formation of a progressive “scientific” methodology, and an insider's perspective on performing traditions that were almost lost due to the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. Chesnokov considered The Choir and How to Direct It to be his magnum opus in which his artistic insights and practical experience would be preserved for future generations.

Defining his ideal a cappella choir, Chesnokov describes in extraordinary detail three broad areas: ensemble, intonation, and nuance. In the original author’s preface, Chesnokov states: “Such an ensemble, made up exclusively of human voices, is capable of conveying the subtlest shifts of emotion in a given piece of music.” This emphasis on ensemble coherence, impeccable intonation and sensitive artistic response finds a counterpart in many American and north European a cappella choirs.
 
The principles found in Chesnokov’s descriptions and analyses can certainly be useful, on many levels, for present-day conductors. For example, he includes strategies for purifying intonation and offers detailed samples of how formal analysis can help the conductor determine the appropriate nuances and phrasing. In other areas, he shows himself to be a forward-looking visionary, when he presents his elaborate scheme for what he calls “choral timbrization”--a technique that identifies 27 different voice types and divides the choir into small groups of voices of a similar timbre, which are then deployed as in a “choral orchestration.”

Chesnokov received his early training at the Moscow Synodal School and prior to the 1917 Revolution was a successful and prolific composer of Russian Orthodox church music. Chesnokov’s lifetime output as a composer produced approximately 400 sacred and 100 secular choral works. Despite his revered stature and his many achievements, Chesnokov’s links to the Russian Orthodox Church brought difficulties upon him after 1917. Essentially, he was told that if he wished to keep his teaching post at the Moscow Conservatory, he would have to sever his ties with the church. He also experienced many setbacks as he attempted to have this book published prior to 1940.

Publisher: Musica Russica

Illustrations: 98 musical examples, including one fold-out score, 7 archival photographs

Published: November 2010

Format: 6 x 9 in

Length: lxvi + 266 pages

Binding: Trade Paperback

ISBN: 978-0-9701767-3-8

Price: $49.95

To order,
call (800) 326-3132

Download the Table of Contents

Preview Chapter 1

Translator John Christian Rommereim is Professor of Music at Grinnell College, where he conducts the Grinnell Singers and the Grinnell Oratorio Society, and teaches composition.  During the first part of his career, his scholarly work was centered in the areas of Russian choral music and early music performance. Rommereim’s own choral/orchestral work Utopia was premiered with the Prague Radio Orchestra and the Grinnell Singers in 2000.

“I am very pleased to have my translation of Pavel Chesnokov’s The Choir and How to Direct It published by Musica Russica, a company well respected by choral conductors as the source for Russian music,” John C. Rommereim stated. “It’s a privilege working with Vladimir Morosan, as his level of expertise in editorial standards has been optimal for this book release."

Established in 1987, Musica Russica is the premier publisher of Russian choral music outside of Russia. Musica Russica's founder and president, Dr. Vladimir Morosan, is acknowledged internationally for his expertise in the history of Russian choral music and its performance. Definitive and authoritative editions are produced drawing from Musica Russica's extensive library of original sources, in consultation with scholars from around the world including colleagues in Canada, Denmark, Russia, Ukraine, England, Scotland and the United States.

Musica Russica's editions are successfully performed by professional, amateur, and student choirs throughout the world. Musica Russica's publications have been recorded on numerous CDs, published by such labels as Chandos, EMI Classics, Harmonia Mundi, Hyperion, Koch, and Nimbus.  

Look for Pavel Chesnokov’s The Choir and How to Direct It online at www.musicarussica.com or at select music retailers worldwide.

Pavel Chesnokov’s The Choir and How to Direct It, translated from the Russian by John C. Rommereim,  foreword by Kenneth L. Jennings. ISBN 978-0-9701767-3-8. Retail Price: $49.95

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--William Weinert, Editor, American Choral Review