Intonation Attributes of Traditional Singing And Recitations of Suzhou Musical Drama

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to identify the intonation attributes of traditional singing and recitation in Suzhou musical drama, which is embodied in the melodic organization of melody, rhythmic pattern, signs of syncretism with speech and gestures of singers-actors, which add semantic certainty and artistic expression to images. \nResearch methodology. The study investigates this issue by examining the basic methods and principles of musicology. \nResults. Suzhou drama is based on traditional folk songs of the northern regions of Jiangsu province, “labor cries”, such as urging bulls when ploughing, woman crying, jumping on horses etc. The melody of the Lahongqiang is characterized by the transitions of the female falsetto into high octaves, which are balanced by the inclusion of a recitative that affects the feelings of the listener. \nThe realization of works of Suzhou musical drama, in particular vocal-declamatory methods of performance, requires singers-actors to master the skills of improvisation in the process of creating a stage action. The intonation attributes of melody and declamatory speech, which are based on dialects of oral language, folk songs of the northern regions of Jiangsu province, due to the traditions of the population of this area. The fricative basis of singing is pentatonic, the structure of the “jumping” rhythm with frequent “turns” evokes in the listener a sense of novelty, energetic free movement. The properties of the declamatory pattern of “da-shetou” is one of the outstanding features of Suzhou musical drama. \nNovelty: the concept of “Lahongqiang” can be used in a number of meanings: in a broad sense\xa0— if we talk about the traditional nature of one of the types of songwriting; in the narrow sense\xa0— to use as the name of the music genre and performing arts. \nPractical significance. The properties of the declamatory pattern of “da-shetou” is one of the outstanding features of Suzhou musical drama. Importantly, it enriches the area of cognitive ability to understand the communicative “axis” of the East-West artistic relationship.