Title: The influence of the English pianoforte on keyboard technique and composition from 1790 to 1826
Abstract:The purpose of this research is to define the significant elements of influence of
the English piano regarding the style of piano playing and composing from 1790 to
1826. This study will focus on re...The purpose of this research is to define the significant elements of influence of
the English piano regarding the style of piano playing and composing from 1790 to
1826. This study will focus on repertoire written by the group of composers labelled
by Nicholas Temperley as the London Pianoforte School, which included Clementi,
Cramer and Dussek.
There is currently no systematic study or published scholarly discussion on this
topic, which takes account of the full diversity of both the repertoire itself and the
pianistic techniques and documented performance style of the London Pianoforte
School. This study is to investigate the possible ways of performing the music on the
pianofortes in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, in order to help performers
in the present day to produce variety of tone production and a historically informed
performance on a modern piano.
In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, the compositional and
performance style in London changed in accordance with the rapid development of
English pianos. An examination of the music written by composers of the London
Pianoforte School shows that producing a singing tone; the favour of mixing
harmonies; the variety of touches and extensive utilisation of embellishments in
fast movements were significant characteristic elements of performance in London
at the time. These features encouraged a new way of notating the scores in
composition and of producing sound in performance.
This study is led by my own practice as a performer in a series of representative
works, interpreted critically on modern and historical instruments with a written
commentary. The methodology I have used includes study of treatises on
performance practice in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries; reception history
through contemporary reviews; autograph and original editions of musical scores
and my own video demonstrations accompanied by annotated scores.Read More
Publication Year: 2017
Publication Date: 2017-09-01
Language: en
Type: dissertation
Access and Citation
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot