SLAV 512, September 30, 2003
Mark does his talk on Putilov
Their questions
Which other genres
On to historical song
Proposed scheme of development
Myth > epic > historical song > ballad
Progressive decrease in seriousness
Gods > superhuman heroes > heroes of more normal proportions, though still outstanding in some way (a ruler, a famous brigand) more ordinary folk
Progressive decrease in length
And concomitant increase in rhyme, stanzaic structure
Performer goes from a priest or other religious figure specially trained and ordained or otherwise sanctioned to
Professional, or semi-professional, some training (epic), may need to be marked in some way
Professional or not (historical song) as in minstrels will sing historical song along with epic
To ordinary folk, though some are better singers than others
Context
Myth is tied to ritual
Can be performed at certain times of the year and helps create/recreate the universe so that things continue to function as they should
Epic can be tied to special events &endash; Muslim and Ramazan, Ukrainian and church festival, Russian and certain seasons
Historical song pretty well when the occasion warrants
Ballad &endash; when you feel like it, feel blue
Brandy on Sten'ka Razin and other historical song
Ashley &endash; Chawick's view of history and song and how the 2 are connected
Mark &endash; more historical songs, Putilov's views
M &endash; Carl Steif on historical song
John &endash; Wandering minstrels, Russian style
Kathleen &endash; ballads
Rachel and Blake &endash; dukhovnye stikhi
Polina &endash; laments