"I will never forget that nightingale..." The work of St. Petersburg choir conductor Yu. G. Gurbo as a reflection of historical trends in Russian and foreign choral art

The study is dedicated to reviewing the main trends in the development of Russian and foreign (European) choral art, analyzing the manifestation of such trends within the framework of the Petersburg choral school and its peculiarities, which becomes important in connection with the global cultural dialogue at the present stage. In the "age of the individual," it is important to consider the role of the choirmaster, the organizer of the choir, particularly in Petersburg, to gain a deeper understanding of the trends in contemporary art and culture, and their prospects in light of the need for the revival of national culture and overcoming a large-scale cultural crisis. We view Y. G. Gurbo as a "typical" and productive figure of the choral school in Petersburg at the present stage, with his magnificent achievements in the field of choirs, which meet the true needs of the time. The methodology of the research is associated with a psychological-biographical perspective, emphasizing the role of the individual, the creative personality—relevant in our time. Such an approach is all the more important in relation to the Petersburg art school: by maximally combining Russian and European influences, it is distinguished by personal and aesthetic subtlety, allowing for the achievement of exceptional results. The Petersburg choral school, on the one hand, reflects the all-Russian features of deep spirituality (even outside the strictly religious sphere), great musicality against the backdrop of the significant achievements of Russian music, and important aspects of sociality; on the other hand, it is more "susceptible" to European trends of secularism, diversity, psychological depth, and experimentation, as well as manifestations of individuality—all of which are vividly expressed in the work of Y. G. Gurbo as a master of his time. Having served in responsible positions in the choral field even during the Soviet period and being deeply connected with predecessors, Gurbo in the post-Soviet period, on a community basis—which is generally characteristic of the choral field—develops a high level of contact with foreign colleagues through the Choir of Saints Peter and Paul, while preserving all the important features of Russian, Petersburg choral art; he emphasizes the breadth and significance of the repertoire and its vivid presentation. In the era of globalization, this leads to a noticeable activation of attention to Russian culture, as well as to the productive popularization of choral art in Russia. This universal strategy emphasizes the character and significance of the Northern capital and its figures in the evolving paths of world culture.