Countering Anachronistic Basso Continuo Practice
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Research Statement
Research Background
This project investigates an unresolved issue in relation to improvised basso continuo practice. Mortensen (1996) describes continuo playing in sound recordings as ‘masquerading as historical’. He describes a ‘Generalist Amsterdam School’ of playing as having no basis in the practices as passed down via the historical instruction manuals. A cursory review of the most recent European recordings confirms this outmoded practice is still alive and well.
Research Contribution
Smith participated in four high-level performances, and through the practical application of historical techniques—summarised in Dreyfus (2013) and Stembridge (2007)—extended, and countered, existing practices in several ways. In the Bach realisations (‘St Mathew Passion’ and Baroque in the Ballroom), Smith demonstrates a strict four-part realisation for the arias, including the free adoption of higher textures. In the recitatives he can be heard creating a much more varied sonic texture than is normally encountered: especially in the dramatic mixture of mixture of short and held chords. Similarly, the Tallis applies the research of Moroney (2007) in offering a partitura realisation, and the dramatic realisation invoked in Handel in the House puts into practice the style of realisation practiced in the Turin manuscript of the Corelli Op 5 violin sonatas.
Research Significance
The outcomes of this research project comprised several full-length professional concerts associated with the Festival of Perth and the WA Symphony Orchestra. Both of these performances were recorded and broadcast by the ABC, and disseminated for a month after the initial broadcast date. Significant venues: Perth Concert Hall; Winthrop Hall; Government House Ballroom. Reviews in: The Australian (‘the sweetness of Stewart Smith’s organ continuo’); The West Australian; Seesaw Magazine (‘Baroque music royalty’).
Non-Traditional Research Output
Live Performance
Document Type
Non-Traditional Research Output
Date of Publication
2020
Publisher
PIAF, WASO, ABC Radio, 97.7, Classic FM
School
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
RAS ID
36028
Event Title
St Matthew Passion / Tallis Spem in Alium / Handel in the House / Baroque in the Ballroom
Event Dates
April 16, 2009; February 14; August 2; November 7, 2020
Event Venue
Perth Concert Hall, Winthrop Hall, University of Western Australia, Government House Ballroom
Duration
6 h
Comments
Smith, S. (2020). Countering Anachronistic Basso Continuo Practice [Musical performance]. Perth Concert Hall, Winthrop Hall, University of Western Australia, Government House Ballroom.