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History
The faculty was established in 1925. Its traditions of teaching
were founded by distinguished figures in Russian musical culture,
and combine principles of both conservatory and university
education. The training is conducted in several fields: history
of Russian music, history of music, ethnomusicology and old-folk-singing,
theory of music, music criticism and theory of performing
art.
The faculty is of particular importance to the conservatory
as it provides professional training in historical and theoretical
disciplines for students of all specialties.
Teachers of the faculty are well-known musicologists, composers,
musicians. The staff is keenly involved in research; the results
of which are reported in publications, monographs, collections
of articles, dissertations, on international conferences,
and in new text-books and manuals.
Department of history of Russian music
This subject has always been of absorbing interest
for national scholars of music. The fields of research include
theory, analysis, history, and concepts. Boris Asafyev, founder
of modern Russian scholarship, devoted most of this theoretical
works to the history of Russian music. In one way or another,
Russian composers' works and aesthetics have been studied
by major Russian musicologists. Even when studying musical
developments outside Russia, all Russian scholars used to
view them - willingly or unwillingly - from a Russian angle,
basing their judgements upon the values of Russian musical
culture and music theory. This is why research in the history
of music has always given rise to much controversy, and it
is only natural that disputes within the department should
reveal and expose both positive and negative aspects in the
present state of Russian music scholarship.
Not with standing various organizational problems due to a
generation gap in the department, research is under way in
the fields of history, analysis, and bibliography of music.
Emphasis is on two periods, the 11th -17th centuries and from
the mid-nineteenth century to the early part of this century.
We are facing a most challenging subject, viz. revision of
notions of the period following the Russian revolution of
1917, which will certainly involve a revision of opinions
on the early 20th - century music by emigre composers including
Igor Stravinsky. Traditionally, the department offers to students
of other specialities (Composition, Musicology) a number of
courses in Russian folk music, textology and bibliography,
as well as seminars on music paleography and practical work
with the archives. Results of research are regulary reported
in publications or at national and international congresses
and conferences. Departamental staff are also involved in
fundamental research, which includes approbation of dissertations
submitted for Master and Doctor degrees.
Department of history of Foreign
music
A solid basis for research in this field was laid down by
several scholars of repute - Liberius Sacchetti, Alexander
Ossovsky, Boris Asafyev - who were studying the history of
music in the general context of European culture. In their
courses of lectures and published reports, departamental staff
are involved in the development of modern trends in historical
studies. Particular fields of research interest are as follows:
- Baroque music and Classical music, i.e. post-Baroque and
Pre-Romantic;
- Romantic Symphonism;
- French music in the 19th and 20th cc;
- History of opera;
- Nineteenth-century and Twentieth century English music;
- Igor Stravinsky and his works.
The department publishes collections of papers,
books, monographs; scientific conferences and music festivals
are regularly arranged; the Stravinsky Fund at the department
is involved in the study and propaganda of Igor Stravinsky's
works.
Department of music theory
The department is of particular importance for
the Conservatory at it is responsible for all the subjects
on curriculum, which are indispensable to the musical profession.
Graduates of the department make their careers in music scholarship.
Alongside with teaching, departmental staff are keenly involved
in research. Publications include books, monographs, collections
of articles; results of research are regularly reported at
national and international conferences; new text-books and
manuals are prepared for publications. The staff includes
a number of leading composers, which is essential for professional
training in polyphony of works of music. The department is
subdivided into sections in accordance with the research interests
of the professional staff.
Department of music criticism
Within the faculty of history and theory of music,
this one is a contributory department, which is responsible
for optional courses. Departmental staff are mostly part-time
lecturers who also work at other departments or faculties.
The founder of the department was professor Semyon M. Druskin,
D. Ph., Honoured Art Worker, notable music critic and scholar.
He distinguished himself by his researches on music history
from the Baroque period to the 20th century. He read lectures
to Conservatory students on historiography and textology.
Working at the department are notable critics Leonid E. Gakkel
and Mikhail Byalik. The teaching staff also includes Sergey
Maltsev, a notable specialist in theory and practice of improvisation
and Ivan V. Rosanov, a proficient teacher of the art of harpsichord
playing.
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