Experimental Vivaldi
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Research Statement
Research Background
A run of 25 performances of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with a group of experimental and risk-taking Baroque musicians—who made a pact to constantly re-invent the interpretation—constituted an experimental workshop of performance practices, both from withing the Baroque tradition and from other sources (eg. Arabic; blues; avantgarde).
Research Contribution
My contribution was to offer a newly-improvised basso continuo realisations for each performance. Two sample performances are offered – Recording A & B. My approach differed from standard practices in several ways. 1) playing both organ and harpsichord, often simultaneously (one hand on each) and often with very quick changes. A 29.38 – contrasted with B 29.18 – here responding to the performance cues from the violinist. 2) responding to ‘strange’ textures in Vivaldi’s score with an equally ‘strange’ continuo realisation. The extremities of each instrument are explored. A 46.16 & B 46.25. 3) offering full contrapuntal realisations, eg. the slow mvt of Autumn A 36.15 (harpsichord) and B 35.45 (organ).4) A 17.55 – Realisation influenced by the Arabic Maquam Bayati. A different version B 18.12 (also at B 20.20-20.50 touch of avant-garde and Jazz).
Research Significance
Each of the 25 concerts attracted full houses of 500-600 people. Review: West Australian. Some of the techniques worked out in the above performances were incorporated into a recent all-Baroque concert with the WASO. Recording C is the opening of a concerto by Albinoni. Note 1) the alteration of harpsichord and organ and 2) the simultaneous playing of both instruments. Review (West Australian) “Two pieces by Albinoni stripped back the ensemble to five string parts and Stewart Smith’s harpsichord-organ combination.” This research adds to a growing body of research practice—eg Jean Rondeau using the full extent of the French harpsichord and Terry Charleston’s experimentation with claviorganum continuo.
Non-Traditional Research Output
Live Performance
Document Type
Non-Traditional Research Output
Date of Publication
2021
Location of the Work
Perth
Publisher
Fever Music, The Australian Baroque Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, ABC
School
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
RAS ID
43572
Event Title
Vivaldi Four Seasons (Australian Baroque and Fever Productions / Baroque Favourites (West Australian Symphony Orchestra; ABC)
Event Dates
March-December, 2021
Event Venue
Winthrop Hall University of Western Australia, Perth Concert Hall
Additional Information
25 x 1 hour concerts; 1 x 2 hour concert
Duration
1 h; 2 h
Comments
Smith, S. (2021). Experimental Vivaldi. [Live performances]. Winthrop Hall University of Western Australia; Perth Concert Hall.