Author Description
The Singer's Guide To German Diction Is The Essential Foundation For A Complete Course In German Diction For Singers, Vocal Coaches, Choral Conductors, And Anyone Wishing To Learn The Proper Pronunciation Of High German. Written By Valentin Lanzrein And Richard Cross, Who Each Have Years Of Experience On Stage, In The Voice Studio, And In The Diction Classroom, It Provides An All-encompassing And Versatile Reference For The Rules Of German Diction And Their Exceptions. Featuring An Easily Navigable Format That Uses Tables And Charts To Support A Visual Understanding Of The Text, This Guide Allows The Reader To Find Information On Diction Rules And Quick Help With The Formation Of Each Sound. It Also Places An Emphasis On Exceptions To The Rules, Which Are Crucial In Learning The Proper Pronunciation Of Any Language. Exceptions Are Not Only Provided With The Diction Rules, But Are Also Gathered In A Specific Section For Ease Of Reference. A Glossary Of Difficult Words, Names, And Exceptions Is Provided In The Appendix, Along With A Section On Latin Pronounced In The German Manner. Extensive Pronunciation Exercises, As Well As Ipa Transcription Worksheets And Short Examples From The Vocal Literature, Are Used For Practical Application Of The Diction Rules, And Feature Musical Exercises Drawn From Art Song, Opera, And Oratorio. The Book's Companion Website Supplements These Musical Exercises With High-quality Audio Clips Recorded By Leading Professional Singers, Providing An Invaluable Resource For Independent Study. A Comprehensive Companion For Teachers, Students, And Singers Alike, The Singer's Guide To German Diction Brings German Diction To Life Through Its Well-structured System Of Practice And Reference Materials.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This text serves as a comprehensive pedagogical framework for mastering the pronunciation of High German within the context of classical vocal performance. Authors Valentin Lanzrein and Richard Cross leverage their extensive professional experience in opera and vocal instruction to codify the complex rules and common exceptions of German diction. The book utilizes a structured, visual-heavy approach to ensure that singers, coaches, and conductors can accurately interpret and perform vocal literature.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Detailed rules and exceptions for German phonetics and pronunciation.
- Visual aids including tables, charts, and IPA transcription worksheets.
- Practical exercises derived from art song, opera, and oratorio repertoire.
- A dedicated appendix featuring a glossary of difficult terms and Latin pronunciation in the German style.
Scope Limits
- The text focuses specifically on High German as applied to singing rather than conversational or dialectal German.
- It does not provide a comprehensive history of the German language or its grammatical structure beyond what is necessary for pronunciation.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and vocal pedagogues frequently cite this work as a standard reference for its clear organization and emphasis on practical application. Readers often note that the inclusion of a companion website with professional audio recordings significantly enhances the utility of the text for independent study.
Page Count:
376
Publication Date:
2018-01-01
ISBN-10:
0190238429
ISBN-13:
9780190238421
Music
Vocal Pedagogy
Reference
Linguistics
Education