general Flashcards
your intentions vs composers
What makes the composer’s intention any more valid than another interpretation of the piece? A free relationship with the score makes for a more involved performance
why did you choose to use sheet music?
when playing mozart’s piano sonatas, sviatoslav richter 1989 used sheet music
composers have regularly performed their workds from score - francis poulenc
- performer can be more connected to the music (but invalid because same is true in chamber music)
some people are great at memorising, but are mediocre musicians + visa versa - tradition
overriding priority is music itself (superfluous instructions are more likly to constrict freedom of expression that aid it)
what is opus number
the opus number is the “work number” that is assigned to a musical composition, or to a set of compositions, to indicate the chronological order of the composer’s published works
- were assigned during composers’ lifetimes, not after their deaths, and the numbers generally indicate that the works were published
what is kochel catalogue
The Köchel catalogue is a chronological catalogue of compositions Mozart, originally created by Ludwig Ritter von Köchel
- are assigned sequentially according to the date of composition
(Compositions completed at the same time are listed K69, K69a, and so on)
deutsch catalogue
(Schubert: Thematic Catalogue of all his Works in Chronological Order)
also known as the Deutsch catalogue, is a numbered list of all compositions by Franz Schubert compiled by Otto Erich Deutsch
19th century expression
balance between expression, language, and technical means was well adjusted
- composers message was for the first time regarded as an essential elements in a composition
descriptive music was popular, effective, and universally understood
BRAHMS / SCRIABIN PIANO
erard in paris and steinway in usa redesigned piano as a louder, more robust instruments capable of filling a hall (imitating an orchestra - brahms concertos)
hammers were made heavier and strings thicker
double escapement
in 1821 by french erard brothers - makes note repetition and quiet trills easier
DEBUSSY PIANO
german Bechstein
- sensous touch and tone
chords blend thoroughly that they sound like gong rather than individual notes
harpsichord
fortepiano invented in 1698
harpsichord was used as accompaniment - in form of basso continuo
- brittle, rattling and clipped, with no variation in dynamics (cannot vary tone or intensity)
viennese piano MOZART
1770s STEIN
simpler and lighter than the english action (which were more rich and substantial)
- produced clear, silvery tone ‘
- rich in softer registers
relatively clear and dry sound - suits precise articulation needed
viennese piano SCHUBERT
larger, richer tone + pedals which would have been used frequently
(pedals introduced in early 19th century)
fortepiano vs modern grand
The action and hammers were lighter
The fortepiano has leather-covered hammers and thin, harpsichord-like strings. It has a much lighter case construction
Mozart wrote his piano music for instruments of about five octaves
