Russian Lyric Diction This book uses the standard International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). ‘Therefore, a singer or @ coach familiar with the use of IPA in other languages will need to learn only a few symbols specific to the Russian phonetic system. It is presumed that a musician approaching the Russian repertoire is already familiar with other singing languages. In order to demonstrate certain similarities and differences between specific Russian sounds and their counterparts in other European languages, this guide makes frequent references to Italian, German, French, and English. The guide is divided into two sections Section I deals exclusively with the sounds of the Russian language. Its purpose is to teach a singer how to read the phonetic transcriptions that use standard IPA. However, ifa singer wishes to delve deeper into the structure of the Russian language, Section II explains how to read the Cyrillic Alphabet. I. The Sounds of Russian Vowel Sounds + [al-asin talian padre {51 — approximates its Italian counterpart as in acchi. In all native Russian words this vowel only occurs in a stressed position ful ~as in Italian ww [e] open e as in Italian Bella {e]—half-closed e as in Italian vero. In Russian, the difference between the open and closed form of e is practical rather than grammatical. The ¢ is naturally slightly more closed before {j), [i], or 8 sofi consonant (see page xvi) and more open in any other position. Since the meaning of the ‘word does not change if either the open or the closed form is used, the degree of openness of ¢ is ultimately determined by vocal comfort. (i) —as in Italian pizzaRussian Lyric Diction xiii [ila modified form of [il, a forward unrounded tongue vowel. The tip of the tongue is on or close to the bottom teeth. The front of the tongue is in the position of [i the back of the tongue is moved slightly forward. Though this vowel isa close relative of English [I] as in inn, its exact equivalent does not occur in any Westem European language. A similar vowel, however, is found in Turkish and Korean. In Russian this sound occurs only after a hard consonant (see page xiv), To form this vowel first intone (iJ; then modify it to an English (I} as in “king.” In order to ‘modify the vowel from [i] to [I] the back-central part of the tongue moves forward. If you move the back of the tongue a bit more forward the resulting vowel will be an [i]. Notice that [i] is not a diphthong. It is strictly a tongue vowel, and in its production the lips must remain unrounded {o] ~ @ neutral relaxed unrounded vowel. In Russian singing diction the use of the true schwa is usually avoided. There are several shadings of this sound in conversational Russian. However, ‘most vowels that are reduced to a schwa in speech must be sung as a slightly weakened [a]. In this edition the weakened a is indicated by a smaller symbol [a] versus [al Semivowel Sound [j] {jl yor or a j-gide as in English yes. In Russian the yor has a different degree of intensity depending. upon its postion within a word, Its fricative quality is strongest when intial or interjected between a consonant and a vowel. Its intensity is slighily weaker between two vowels. When the glide ends a syllable its duration is very short. In fact, in Russian phonetic theory the yor is described as a voiced fticative consonantxiv Russian Lyric Diction Consonant Sounds Classification of the Consonant Sounds! voiceless voiced See Affricative set |_| Sonants (voiced) ‘Consonant sounds are classified according to (1.) the place of the obstruction of the outgoing breath, (2.) the forming of the obstruction, and (3.) the work of the vocal cords. 1. Consonant sounds are classified according to the place of the obstruction of the outgoing breath as: © Bilabial {b p ml. In the production of these consonant sounds the obstruction is formed by pressing the upper and lower lips together. ‘© Labio-dental |v f]. In the pronunciation of these consonant sounds the air passes between the lower lip and the upper teeth. © Dental (dt z.sdz ts 1). In order to produce these consonant sounds, the tip of the tongue is pressed against, or brought close tothe teeth. ‘© Palato-dental [g § dg]. The tip and the front of the tongue is pressed af the lower teeth and the front ofthe hard palate respectively. or brought close to © Velar (back-patatal) (g k x J. The obstruction is formed between the back of the tongue and the soft palate "The material inthis section is not unique to Russian but rather relates to the general phonetic theory of consonants.