Performance practice

Definition

Performance practice refers to the conventions and techniques that musicians use when interpreting and performing a piece of music, particularly from earlier historical periods. It encompasses aspects such as instrument choice, tuning, ornamentation, and phrasing, which are essential for conveying the intended style and emotional impact of the music. Understanding performance practice is crucial for musicians to honor the traditions and expectations of the time in which a piece was composed.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Performance practice varies significantly between musical styles and historical periods, requiring performers to adapt their techniques accordingly.
2. Instruments used in performance practice are often replicas of those from the period, ensuring an authentic sound.
3. Musicians studying performance practice must familiarize themselves with historical treatises and writings to understand the stylistic nuances of their repertoire.
4. Different composers had unique approaches to ornamentation, influencing how performers interpret their works.
5. The revival of interest in early music since the late 20th century has led to a greater emphasis on performance practice in classical music education.

Review Questions

• How does performance practice influence the interpretation of historical music compared to contemporary compositions?
  • Performance practice plays a crucial role in interpreting historical music as it requires musicians to consider the stylistic conventions of the time when a piece was composed. This involves using appropriate instruments, tuning systems, and ornamentation that reflect historical practices. In contrast, contemporary compositions may allow for more flexibility and personal interpretation since they are often written with modern audiences and performance contexts in mind.
• Discuss how ornamentation in performance practice can change the listener's experience of a musical piece.
  • Ornamentation adds complexity and expressiveness to a musical piece, allowing performers to personalize their interpretation. In historical performance practice, specific types of ornamentation were expected at certain times, enhancing the emotional impact of the music. This not only makes the performance more engaging for listeners but also provides insight into the performer's understanding of style and tradition.
• Evaluate the impact of Historically Informed Performance (HIP) on modern interpretations of Baroque music and its implications for performance practice today.
  • Historically Informed Performance (HIP) has significantly transformed modern interpretations of Baroque music by emphasizing authenticity through period instruments and techniques. This approach encourages performers to research historical context and adopt practices such as specific ornamentation and phrasing used during the Baroque era. As a result, HIP has fostered a deeper appreciation for the nuances of early music and has influenced how both performers and audiences engage with historical repertoire today.

Related terms

Historically Informed Performance (HIP): An approach to performing early music that seeks to recreate the sound and style of the time it was composed by using period instruments and techniques.

Ornamentation: The addition of decorative notes or flourishes to a musical line, which varies based on performance practice and style.

Tempo Rubato: A performance technique involving flexible tempo where the performer may stretch or compress the timing for expressive purposes.