Sung word for understanding Martin Luther’s music

Abstract

Aim. The article is dedicated to the phenomenon of sung word in belles-lettres. It aims at highlighting the poetological features of sung word in literary works with reference to its interpretation by the German reformer and theologian Martin Luther.

Methods. As part of the framework of interdisciplinary study of literary works, key foundations of culturological literary studies have been used. Intermediality method has been chosen to substantiate the functions of sung word in a specific literary work. Theological context of considerations by Martin Luther serves as a potent multidisciplinary background for understanding of the role of sung word in fiction.

Results. Owing to the significance of sung word in Martin Luther’s musical theology, the main poetological qualities of the phenomenon in literary works have been singled out (specific cognitive value, the moment of increased self-identification of the recipient with the message perceived through singing, a pronounced corporality of musical text presented through singing). A literary text which refers to a sung musical text acquires other narrative dimensions and an intensified impact as a result.

Scientific novelty. Martin Luther’s musical theology is studied from the standpoint of its theoretical implications for interpretation of the phenomenon of sung word functioning in a literary work. It has been established that for the German reformer singing was a direct way of making religious belief related texts more internal. In his opinion sung word creates a space of understanding in which the text becomes a subject and the person who is comprehending it becomes the object. Only in hearing is a human accomplished, moved by the word, as in singing the word itself becomes the thing it tells about. Moreover, the sung word possesses affective potential.

Pactical significance. The main ideas of the paper may be used for a comprehensive study of both creativity and reformation activities of Martin Luther and the tradition of oral speech and singing use in written literature.