Julian Hellaby, Coventry University, UK
Performance studies in the Western art music tradition have often been
dominated by the relationship of theoretical score-analysis to
performance, although some recent trends have aimed at dislodging the
primacy of the score in favour of assessing performance on its own
terms.
In this book Julian Hellaby further develops these trends by placing
performance firmly at the heart of his investigations and presents a
structured approach to analysing the interpretation of a musical work
from the perspective of a musically informed listener. To enable
analysis of individual interpretations, the author develops a conceptual
framework in which a series of performance-related categories is
arranged hierarchically into an 'interpretative tower'. Using this
framework to analyse the acoustic evidence of a recording,
interpretative elements are identified and used to assess the
relationship between a performance and a work.
The viability of the interpretative tower is tested in three major case
studies. Contrasting recorded performances of solo keyboard works by
Bach, Messiaen and Brahms are the focus of these studies, and analysis
of the performances, using the tower model, uncovers an interpretative
rationale.
The book is wide-ranging in scope and holistic in approach, offering a
means of enhancing a listener's appreciation of an interpretation. It is
richly illustrated with examples taken from commercial recordings and
from the author's own recordings of the three focal works. A CD of the
latter is included.
Contents: Preface; Part I Constructing a Framework for Listening:
Writing, performing and listening; Constructing a framework. Part II
Case Studies: Applying the Framework: Bach: Toccata in D major BWV 912;
Messiaen: Première communion de la Vierge; Brahms: Variations and Fugue
on a theme by Handel Op.24. Conclusion; Appendices; Bibliography;
Discography; Index.
About the Author: Julian Hellaby is Associate Senior Lecturer in music
at Coventry University. He has performed in the Wigmore Hall and Purcell
Room and has also appeared as concerto soloist, chamber musician,
duettist (with Peter Noke) and accompanist in the UK and overseas. He
has recorded six CDs of solo piano and chamber music.
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Content )
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Introduction )
Illustrations: Includes 23 music examples and 18 b&w illustrations
Published: September 2009
Format: 234 x 156 mm
Extent: 214 pages
Binding: Hardback
