Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date

2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Musical Arts

Department

Music

Committee Chair

Timothy Shiu

Committee Member

Timothy Shiu

Committee Member

Kenneth Kreitner

Committee Member

Kimberly Patterson

Abstract

In this dissertation I have decided to explore, from a historical perspective, a piece of music that is well-known to many violinists: J.S. Bach’s masterpiece, the Chaconne from Partita no. 2 in D minor. My goal is for this to be an informative and accessible resource for modern performers who may be interested in experimenting with historical performance practices in their approach to Bach and to Baroque music in general. I have chosen to focus my discussion on Bach’s Chaconne because of the wide-ranging scope of the movement, which affords opportunities for variety and depth in the topics I wish to explore. I have written a chapter about articulations in Bach’s Chaconne that are pervasive throughout the movement, so that readers might try different articulations than what they are accustomed to doing with twentieth-century techniques It is important for musicians who are performing any repertoire to be informed about the choices they make in their interpretation. When violinists perform any music by Bach or another Baroque composer, they may choose to perform with modern techniques and twentieth-century performance practices; however, it is also important for them to consider the lineage of performance practices and interpretations that lead them to the decisions they have made. I am advocating for musicians to try out historical ideas and use those elements with which they align, and hopefully even enhance their interpretive goals instead of simply conforming to a blanket of requirements. Learning about these performance practices can encourage modern violinists to become experimental with Baroque techniques, and help them to see that these practices do not need to be an all-or-nothing devotion to the Baroque style, but can be used to a greater or lesser degree throughout their performance as appropriate to their musical goals.

Comments

Data is provided by the student

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest.

Notes

Open Access

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