City Research Online

Abstract

This is a commentary on seven pieces I have created to explore the idea of music as the social activity of performance – including the rituals around it – instead of as abstract works. The pieces explore the relationship between performers and audience and the effects performance space has on that relationship, by addressing the function of the fourth wall as part of musical performance. Focusing on the inherent theatricality of musical performance, the pieces were created by experimenting with the non-sonic constituents of performance – i.e. the space that hosts performance and the rules that govern it, the distance between performers and audience and their behaviour towards each other. In short, my intention was to challenge performance conventions found in the performing tradition of Classical music by composing new music with an emphasis on the non-sonic constituents of performance.

The commentary investigates various concepts about musical performance, which provided the ideas behind the pieces in my portfolio. The portfolio of pieces includes video documentation, descriptions of the pieces, scores and programme notes on each of the pieces. The videos and programme notes can be found in the accompanying DVD and in the following website:

http://artefactsofperformance.blogspot.co.uk

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	M Music and Books on Music > M Music
Departments:	School of Communication & Creativity > Performing Arts > Music Doctoral Theses School of Communication & Creativity > School of Communication & Creativity Doctoral Theses

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