Pronunciation for Rachmaninov Bogordits Devo

Summary

In this video, Bart offers a pronunciation guide for the City Gate Rachmaninoff Ave Maria in Church Slavonic ahead of a choir reunion recording. He demonstrates key pronunciation tips for Slavic languages, emphasizing clarity, proper consonant articulation, and the absence of diphthongs. Bart explains specific sounds and symbols in the text, giving practical advice for basses, altos, and other choir members. He encourages practice and interaction for any further clarifications, aiming for a smooth, unified performance. With a warm tone, Bart invites singers to reach out with questions and looks forward to a successful rehearsal and recording.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bart is making a video to help with pronunciation for the choir's recording of Rachmaninoff's Ave Maria in Church Slavonic.
• 😀 He is focusing on helping the choir members understand the pronunciation of specific words in the song.
• 😀 Bart emphasizes that, in Slavic languages, there are no diphthongs, meaning vowels are pronounced more clearly and straight without trailing off.
• 😀 He explains that when a tilde is present above a letter, it indicates a shift in pronunciation to make consonants more dental, requiring a slight change in tongue and teeth positioning.
• 😀 Bart gives a detailed guide on how to pronounce specific phrases and words in the song, like 'Bogoroditsy' and 'Bogaroditsya'.
• 😀 He advises the choir members to try to make the 'D' sounds more dental if possible, and he demonstrates how to pronounce them.
• 😀 For altos, Bart clarifies that they have different text and some challenging pronunciation, like 'Bogaroditsya' and 'Blagoslovenna'.
• 😀 He explains the tricky 'CH' sound in words like 'chiva', encouraging the choir to avoid over-pronouncing it like an American 'Arriba'.
• 😀 Bart reassures the group that mistakes are fine and that they can discuss pronunciation further in rehearsal if needed.
• 😀 He encourages the choir members to practice and reach out to him with any questions via various means (email, phone, etc.) before the next rehearsal.

Q & A

What is the purpose of Bart's video?

Bart created the video to help the choir members with the pronunciation of the City Gate Rachmaninoff Ave Maria, especially the Church Slavonic pronunciation.

Why did Bart say he should have made this video earlier?

Bart mentioned that he got busy and could not make the video sooner, but he is now free and able to help.

What is the significance of the squiggly line above certain vowels in Church Slavonic?

The squiggly line (tilde) above vowels indicates that the consonant before it should be pronounced with more dental action, affecting the pronunciation of the consonant.

How should the consonants be pronounced in Church Slavonic?

In Church Slavonic, consonants are generally pronounced with more dental action rather than tongue action, especially when a tilde or apostrophe appears above or next to them.

What should the altos focus on in the piece?

The altos have more text to sing than other sections, with specific attention needed for the pronunciation of words like 'blog go slow Vienna' and understanding the specific vowel sounds.

How does Bart suggest the choir members should practice the pronunciation?

Bart suggests that choir members follow along with him while he sings, repeating the pronunciation of the words, and clarifying any uncertainties during the rehearsal.

What specific issue did Bart mention regarding the pronunciation of 'Chitti Ava'?

Bart emphasized that the 'Chitti Ava' pronunciation should avoid a harsh American 'Arriba' sound, recommending a more subtle approach instead.

What should the choir members do if they have additional questions after watching the video?

Bart encouraged choir members to reach out to him via email, Facebook, text, or phone call if they have more questions or need clarification.

What advice did Bart give regarding the rehearsal tomorrow?

Bart advised that the choir members should practice, and if they have further questions, they can discuss them during the rehearsal, ensuring the music sounds great.

Why does Bart emphasize the importance of certain pronunciations like 'Bogor rosy'?

Bart emphasizes these pronunciations because they are key to accurately singing in Church Slavonic, where precise vowel and consonant sounds are essential to the overall performance.