During the 1950s the experience of recording was transformed by a series of technical innovations including tape recording, editing, the LP record, and stereo sound. Within a decade recording had evolved into an art form in which multiple takes and editing were essential components in the creation of an illusory ideal performance. The British recording industry was at the forefront of development, and the rapid growth in recording activity throughout the 1950s as companies built catalogues of LP records, at first in mono but later in stereo, had a profound impact on the music profession in Britain. Despite this, there are few documented accounts of working practices, or of the experiences of those involved in recording at this time, and the subject has received sparse coverage in academic publications. This thesis studies the development of the recording of classical music in Britain in the long 1950s, the core period under discussion being 1948 to 1964. It begins by considering the current literature on recording, the cultural history of the period in relation to classical music, and the development of recording in the 1950s. Oral history informs the central part of the thesis, based on the analysis of 89 interviews with musicians, producers, engineers and others involved in recording during the 1950s and 1960s. The thesis concludes with five case studies, four of significant recordings - Tristan und Isolde (1952), Peter Grimes (1958), Elektra (1966-67), and Scheherazade (1964) - and one of a television programme, The Anatomy of a Record (1975), examining aspects of the recording process. The thesis reveals the ways in which musicians, producers, and engineers responded to the challenges and opportunities created by advances in technology, changing attitudes towards the aesthetics of performance on record, and the evolving nature of practices and relationships in the studio. It also highlights the wider impact of recording on musical practice and its central role in helping to raise standards of musical performance, develop audiences for classical music, and expand the repertoire in concert and on record.

A presente pesquisa investiga duas práticas de performance da obra Variationen für Klavier, Op. 27 de Anton Webern através da comparação de duas edições da obra e da comparação de três gravações realizadas por Peter Stadlen (1948), Yvonne Loriod (1961) e Charles Rosen (1969). Foram comparadas a primeira edição da obra (a edição Urtext de 1937) e a edição Prática elaborada por Peter Stadlen (1979), resultado de sua interação com o compositor durante o período que antecedeu a estreia do Op. 27. Os aspectos estéticos e interpretativos da obra foram considerados a partir dos textos de Stadlen e da literatura recente. Utilizando o software Sonic Visualiser foram mapeadas as flutuações de tempo nas três gravações do Op. 27. Os resultados evidenciaram dois estilos diferentes de performance. De um lado, o estilo pós-guerra (Cook, 2016) de Loriod e Rosen, marcado pela influência da vanguarda de Darmstadt; de outro lado, o estilo pré-guerra de Stadlen, o qual lança questionamentos sobre o cânone interpretativo estabelecido pelo estilo do pós-guerra. / This research investigates two performance practices of Anton Webern’s Variationen für Klavier, Op. 27 through a comparison between two editions and three recordings of the work. The first edition (the Urtext edition of 1937) and Stadlen’s practical edition of 1979 were compared in regards to the expressive markings added by the composer and the performer, and interpretive aspects of recente literature as well as Stadlen’s texts were considered. Using the software Sonic Visualiser tempo fluctuations were analysed in the recordings by Peter Stadlen (1948), Yvonne Loriod (1961) and Charles Rosen (1969). The results brought to evidence two contrasting performance styles. On the one hand, the post-war style (Cook, 2016) of Loriod and Rosen, marked by the influence of the Darmstadt avant-garde, and, on the other hand, the pre-war style of Peter Stadlen, which calls into question the interpretive canon of the work established by the post-war style of performance.

A presente pesquisa investiga duas práticas de performance da obra Variationen für Klavier, Op. 27 de Anton Webern através da comparação de duas edições da obra e da comparação de três gravações realizadas por Peter Stadlen (1948), Yvonne Loriod (1961) e Charles Rosen (1969). Foram comparadas a primeira edição da obra (a edição Urtext de 1937) e a edição Prática elaborada por Peter Stadlen (1979), resultado de sua interação com o compositor durante o período que antecedeu a estreia do Op. 27. Os aspectos estéticos e interpretativos da obra foram considerados a partir dos textos de Stadlen e da literatura recente. Utilizando o software Sonic Visualiser foram mapeadas as flutuações de tempo nas três gravações do Op. 27. Os resultados evidenciaram dois estilos diferentes de performance. De um lado, o estilo pós-guerra (Cook, 2016) de Loriod e Rosen, marcado pela influência da vanguarda de Darmstadt; de outro lado, o estilo pré-guerra de Stadlen, o qual lança questionamentos sobre o cânone interpretativo estabelecido pelo estilo do pós-guerra. / This research investigates two performance practices of Anton Webern’s Variationen für Klavier, Op. 27 through a comparison between two editions and three recordings of the work. The first edition (the Urtext edition of 1937) and Stadlen’s practical edition of 1979 were compared in regards to the expressive markings added by the composer and the performer, and interpretive aspects of recente literature as well as Stadlen’s texts were considered. Using the software Sonic Visualiser tempo fluctuations were analysed in the recordings by Peter Stadlen (1948), Yvonne Loriod (1961) and Charles Rosen (1969). The results brought to evidence two contrasting performance styles. On the one hand, the post-war style (Cook, 2016) of Loriod and Rosen, marked by the influence of the Darmstadt avant-garde, and, on the other hand, the pre-war style of Peter Stadlen, which calls into question the interpretive canon of the work established by the post-war style of performance.

The thesis is a critical reading of pedagogical and biographical texts by and on violinists, written in the early twentieth century. It contributes to historical and discursive studies by providing a limited engagement with a largely neglected group of historical sources relating to musical performance, and further advances the historical research on subjectivity, the body, pathology, and erotics, in relation to discourses of music. The thesis also contributes to studies of performance practice, and empirical and psychological studies of musical performance, in that it engages with discursive notions of theoretical and performance categories, such as tempo, melody, vibrato and portamento. By taking a hermeneutic approach to detailed discussions of performative practices, primarily found in pedagogical texts, the project aims to provide a more nuanced assessment of many of the topics that have played a central role in the ongoing research on early twentieth-century performance (which principally consists of recordings analysis). The project does this by demonstrating the extent to which these practices are culturally and historically mediated. Following an introduction, chapter 2 demonstrates that notions of consciousness inform writers’ notions of musical virtuosity, and shows that Nietzschean and Wagnerian notions of self underpin the idea of the violinist as a superior producer of art. Chapter 3 argues that these ideas combine with metaphysical notions of melody to make the concept of ‘tone’/Ton the cornerstone of string playing during this period, which in turn has important implications for how writers conceive of tempo, rhythm, vibrato, portamento and dynamics. Chapter 4 demonstrates that writers perceive their ideal of tone to be threatened by moral and physiological disease, manifested in individual/social bodies, which leads to a very different articulation of these same practices. Chapter 5 explores traces of notions of intersubjectivity, arising from metaphors of erotic desire, which challenge the hegemonic ideal of universal mind. The conclusion frames the discourse as a problematic attempt to posit an authoritarian model of string playing. It also includes a preliminary study of early twentieth-century discourses of cello playing, and engages with the research to date on national styles of violin playing in the same period.

Entre 1750 et 1800, l’émergence et l’adoption de nouveaux genres musicaux et modèles stylistiques, bouleversent la pratique de l’accompagnement au clavier en France. La basse chiffrée se raréfie dans les œuvres gravées et cède progressivement le pas à des parties de clavier entièrement écrites dans la musique vocale. La première partie de cette thèse définit la place de l’accompagnateur et l’évolution de la notation. La seconde est consacrée à l’enseignement dispensé par les méthodes et traités, et établit des passerelles avec les écoles étrangères et le siècle suivant. Enfin, la troisième partie reconsidère la question de l’accompagnement dans les sonates pour clavier et violon. La confrontation des écrits théoriques et des partitions trouve une application directe dans la pratique de la basse continue et de l’accompagnement au clavier, et permet de proposer des modèles de réalisation conformes aux caractéristiques observées dans les œuvres de cette période. / Between 1750 and 1800, the emergence and adoption of new musical genres and stylistic models radically change the accompaniment practice on keyboard instruments in France. Figured bass becomes scarce and is gradually replaced by written-out keyboard parts in vocal music. The first part of this thesis defines the role of the accompanist and the evolution of the notation. The second part is devoted to the instructions given in methods and treatises and establishes links with foreign schools and the following century. Finally, the third part reconsiders the question of the accompaniment in the sonatas for keyboard and violin. The comparison between theoretical writings and scores finds a direct application in the continuo and keyboard accompaniment practice, and leads to the proposition of realisation models in accordance with the characteristics observed in the musical works of that period.

This study investigates the status of Historically Informed Performance Practice among the South African flute-playing fraternity. Consequently, grounds are established on which to claim a lack of the implementation of Historically Informed Performance Practice in South African flute pedagogy and playing. The main research question that underpins this study is: <ul> <li>Why is there a lack of integration of Historically Informed Performance Practice into the mainstream of current flute performance practice among South African flute pedagogues and players?</li></ul> This research question is addressed through three sub-questions: <ul> <li>Is there an awareness of Historically Informed Performance Practice in South Africa as outlined by performance and pedagogy internationally?</li> <li>How is Historically Informed Performance Practice incorporated into the South African flute examinations system? </li> <li>Does the knowledge of Historically Informed Performance Practice prepare one to be a balanced musician or flautist?</li> </ul> The findings that emerge from the investigation of the research questions are: <ul> <li>South African flute pedagogues fail to differentiate between Historically Informed Performance Practice and ‘authenticity’. This could be attributed to the fact that relatively little research and discourse into Historically Informed Performance Practice has been conducted by South African scholars and musicologists. </li> <li>While Historically Informed Performance Practice is thought to enhance students’ performances of Early Music, resulting in better-balanced musicians, it has not been significantly exploited by South African flute players.</li> <li>South African flute students are superficially aware of some elements of performance practice, but are generally not historically informed with regard to the performance of Early Music.</li> <li>There is no clear indication of Historically Informed Performance Practice being incorporated into the South African independent flute examination system.</li> <li>While there are numerous specialists in Early Music locally, flute pedagogues and players perceive them to be scarce, perhaps due to a lack of discernable demand for historically informed performances by South African audiences.</li> </ul> The research synthesises questionnaire and interview data from local flute pedagogues, Early Music specialists and both national and international flute students in an attempt to discover the reason for the lack of Historically Informed Performance Practice in South Africa. Additionally, a survey of websites detailing South African Early Music activity is performed using the Internet, in order to ascertain if the basis for a future in Historically Informed Performance Practice exists nationally. Lastly, content analyses of the three primary South African independent examination boards’ syllabi and of the former flute periodical, Flufsa News, elucidate the status of Historically Informed Performance Practice nationally. / Dissertation (MMus)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Music / unrestricted

While the study of complete sources is very valuable, and has contributed greatly to what is understood of music history, the perspective they contribute is limited because they cannot reveal information about how music and music sources were most often used. The study of functional sources, more probably created for use, allows for more insight into how music was performed and understood, and how such sources were created, used and valued. This study examines twelve fragmentary early sixteenth-century English sources from the Digital Image Archive of Medieval Music (DIAMM) database, constituting a sample of functional music sources in this period. The study of this sampling reveals information about how functional manuscripts were created, used and valued in England during this time period. Some of the fragments contain works with concordances. These concordances are compared using variant comparison, where differences in the versions of the work are considered and weighed. The comparative study of concordances provides insight into the transmission of the versions, scribal and performance culture, as well as into music culture in general. Overall, the study of this sampling of early sixteenth-century functional English sources provides a clearer understanding of the use of accidentals, scribes and scribal culture, performers, performance practice and music culture in England at this time, contributing to the understanding of music history.

Dans ce mémoire, nous avons étudié l’impact du mouvement HIP (Historically informed performance) sur la manière dont les flûtistes interprètent le répertoire baroque depuis 60 ans. Nous avons analysé avec Sonic visualiser des enregistrements de cinq flûtistes, réalisés tant sur la flûte baroque que la flûte moderne. Le logiciel a permis de générer des données graphiques qui appuient objectivement les constats observés en ce qui a trait au tempo, aux ornements, aux articulations, aux nuances et au vibrato. En comparant ces enregistrements, nous avons remarqué qu’il existe plusieurs points communs entre les interprètes qui jouent sur un instrument baroque et ceux qui jouent sur un instrument moderne, au point où l’on peut parler d’un transfert des pratiques d’interprétation de l’un vers l’autre. Nous avons aussi fait une synthèse de quelques sources baroques afin de vérifier dans quelle mesure les interprètes observent ces indications. Nous avons observé qu’au cours des années, le mouvement HIP a changé la définition de ce qu’est une interprétation authentique et qu’il a modifié la manière dont les flûtistes modernes dans leur ensemble interprètent la musique baroque. / In this master’s thesis, we studied how the historically informed performance (HIP) movement has impacted the way flutists have approached Baroque repertoire since 1960. We analyzed recordings from five flute players with Sonic Visualiser. We used this software to generate graphical data to objectively support our observations on tempo, articulation, dynamics, and vibrato. By comparing recordings made on baroque and modern instruments, we found that in the past 20 years, flutists who are performing this repertoire on the modern flute started integrating performance practice from the baroque players in their own performance of early music. To contextualize the performance practices, we synthesized a few baroque sources to verify the extent to which flutists have respected these indications. Through the process of this research, we observed that the HIP movement has changed the definition of an authentic performance of early music and that it has modified the way modern flutists perform Baroque music.

Hummel's Concerto for Trumpet (Concerto a Tromba principale) is overtly operatic and is stylistically reminiscent of Mozart's Don Giovanni. Using the methodology of Leonard Ratner and Wye J. Allanbrook, it is possible to explore gesture and rhetoric in Hummel's Concerto for Trumpet and Mozart's Don Giovanni, and achieve a deeper understanding of the stylistic similarities shared between the two works. In the third movement, dance is the most significant link to Don Giovanni. In the second movement, Hummel alternates between the emotions of Donna Anna and Don Ottavio as they appear in act 1, scene 13. The first movement makes extensive use of contrasting topics identified with buffa and seria characters to advance the musical narrative. Comparing Hummel's concerto and Mozart's opera is a hermeneutical approach that illuminates several performance practice implications. Knowing the expressive similarities and rhetorical strategies common to both works clarifies several issues, such as tempo, ornamentation, and above all, expression. Though Mozart's Don Giovanni and Hummel's Concerto for Trumpet are unequal in significance, it would be valuable to any interpretation of Hummel's concerto if the performer and audience acknowledge that the work is rhetorically and stylistically similar to Mozart's Don Giovanni.

Since the development of interactive music software in the 1980s, a new genre of works for clarinet and computer has emerged. The rapid proliferation of interactive music resulted in a great deal of experimentation, creating a lack of standardization in both the composition and performance of this repertoire. In addition, many performers are reluctant to approach these works due to unfamiliarity with the genre and its technical and musical considerations. Performance practice commonly refers to interpretation of a written score, but the technology involved in interactive music requires a broader definition of performance practice; one that also addresses computer software, coordination between the performer and computer system, and technology such as microphones and pedals. The problems and potential solutions of interactive music performance practice are explored in this paper through review of the relevant published literature, interviews with experts in the field, and examination of musical examples from works for clarinet and computer by Lippe, May, Pinkston, Rowe, and Welch. Performance practice considerations of interactive music fall into the categories of notation, technology, collaboration, interpretation, and rehearsal. From the interviews and the literature, it is clear that the performance of interactive music requires specific knowledge and skills that performers may not encounter in other genres of contemporary music, including microphone technique, spatialization, sound processing, and improvisation. Performance practice issues are often mediated by close collaboration between performers and composers, but they can inhibit the accessibility of these works to new performers, and may be detrimental to the long-term viability of interactive music. Recommendations for resolving these issues are directed at both composers and performers of interactive music. A listing of over one hundred interactive works for clarinet and computer is also included.