Ru
EnE. Korotkiyeva
The features of working with the genre in Kaija Saariaho’s choral cycle Reconnaissance
The article examines the peculiarities of the refraction of the genre of the choral cycle in the work Reconnaissance by Kaija Saariaho. Having defined the choral cycle as the basis of the work, the author notes the influence of a number of other genres in it, which leads to an unusual genre fusion. Thus, in the libretto by Alexi Barriere, with a general style tending towards abstractness of presentation, there is a pronounced reliance on science fiction. The plot tells on the colonization of Mars by earthlings. At the same time, the characteristic features of the madrigal are revealed – a sublime poetic style of the Renaissance with a recognizable poetic rhythm and artistic techniques. There is also a hint of edification in the cycle, and upon closer examination, the features inherent in the literary genre of the parable are revealed. Musically, there are features of madrigal, chanson, funeral march and requiem.
As a result of the research, the author comes to the conclusion that in the work under consideration, the composer and the librettist create a large-scale genre fusion, which turns out to be necessary for building the concept of the cycle. It is based on philosophical considerations about the past and the future of mankind. The subtitle of the composition, “Rusty mirror madrigal”, literally conveys the idea of a “rusty mirror”, which is also mentioned in the libretto. Moreover, this image defines the concept of the work and becomes crucial for understanding the main idea of the destructive nature of technological progress and the futility of creating a better world without addressing the mistakes of the past.
Thanks to the specific combination of modern science fiction ideas about space, the refined ancient form of the Renaissance madrigal, an instructive parable, as well as musical allusions to chanson, requiem and funeral march, a special artistic atmosphere is created. Listeners are immersed in a space full of hints and associations, which contributes to the formation of an individual understanding based on personal experience.
Key words
contemporary music, vocal works by Kaija Saariaho, genre synthesis, choral cycle, Reconnaissance.
For citation
Korotkiyeva E. The features of working with the genre in Kaija Saariaho’s choral cycle Reconnaissance. In: South-Russian Musical Anthology. 2026. No. 2. Pp. 18–24.
