Towards solutions to the technical challenges in the bassoon writing of Jan Dismas Zelenka (1679-1745): Interpretive choices based on historical and modern performance practices
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Open Access
Type
ThesisThesis type
Doctor of PhilosophyAuthor/s
Stefano, David AnthonyAbstract
The bassoon music of Jan Dismas Zelenka (1679-1745) is generally considered to be extremely difficult by most performers. For some bassoonists, the difficulties are are of such magnitude that they avoid its performance altogether. This thesis examines and reconstructs historical ...
See moreThe bassoon music of Jan Dismas Zelenka (1679-1745) is generally considered to be extremely difficult by most performers. For some bassoonists, the difficulties are are of such magnitude that they avoid its performance altogether. This thesis examines and reconstructs historical performance practices with the aim of easing the difficulties faced by modern performers on both modern and historical bassoons. A brief survey of the context in which Zelenka’s bassoon music was composed is followed by a survey of the composer’s manuscripts in order to determine how he utilised the bassoon. Following this, the difficulties for the bassoonist - both technical and musical - are detailed. The thesis provides an analysis of some performance practice techniques outlined in contemporary musical sources, as well as contemporary texts, and concludes with examples of the author’s recommendations about the application of those techniques to the bassoon music of Zelenka.
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See moreThe bassoon music of Jan Dismas Zelenka (1679-1745) is generally considered to be extremely difficult by most performers. For some bassoonists, the difficulties are are of such magnitude that they avoid its performance altogether. This thesis examines and reconstructs historical performance practices with the aim of easing the difficulties faced by modern performers on both modern and historical bassoons. A brief survey of the context in which Zelenka’s bassoon music was composed is followed by a survey of the composer’s manuscripts in order to determine how he utilised the bassoon. Following this, the difficulties for the bassoonist - both technical and musical - are detailed. The thesis provides an analysis of some performance practice techniques outlined in contemporary musical sources, as well as contemporary texts, and concludes with examples of the author’s recommendations about the application of those techniques to the bassoon music of Zelenka.
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Date
2017-09-12Licence
The author retains copyright of this thesis. It may only be used for the purposes of research and study. It must not be used for any other purposes and may not be transmitted or shared with others without prior permission.Faculty/School
Sydney Conservatorium of MusicAwarding institution
The University of SydneyShare