Symphonic miniatures of the napoleonic guitar
Research Statement
Research Background
This program of duos and trios for early 19C guitars (De Fossa, De L’Hoyer, Diabelli, and Cottin) explored the connections between the guitar and soldiery in the Napoleonic era. These works have sometimes been considered second-rate, but this project aimed to investigate how historically informed performance (HIP) knowledge and principles (esp. as revealed in period sources) shed new light on the performance of these works, and lead to a reappraisal of their significance.
Research Contribution
The program was built around historical players and works with military connections. Analysis revealed extensive use of military tropes (onomateopia, marches, and embodiments of the ‘heroic’), and consideration made of how the application of HIP research can vivify these features. The use of period instruments was key; the timbres, textures, articulations, and fingerings revealing a radically different sound world in performance. Likewise, original musical sources were studied to capitalise on notational clues. The animation of militaristic onomatopoeia (eg. brass fanfares, marching drums) was particularly fruitful, aligning with descriptions in historical methods (Sor, Aguado…). Historic fingerings and articulations enhanced metric accentuation, virtuosity, and character (animating expressive tropes). Radical experimentation with rubato, and recently theorised links between crescendo and acceleration (Poli, 2010) were undertaken via workshops with Geoffrey Lancaster, animating musical story-telling.
Research Significance
This project involved international collaboration with Remaj (growing European reputation) and renowned HIPP exponent Lancaster. Diabelli and Cottin were potentially the first documented Australian performances on period instruments. The event was promoted by the Classical Guitar Society of WA, Inc, and received (post-event) an invitation for potential future collaboration (National Trust WA).
Non-Traditional Research Output
Live Performance
Document Type
Non-Traditional Research Output
Date of Publication
2022
School
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
RAS ID
57954
Event Dates
August 9, 2022
Event Venue
Church of the Resurrection, Swanbourne
Duration
60 mins
Comments
Paget, J., Remaj, M., Lake, C., Lancaster, G. (2022). Symphonic miniatures of the Napoleonic guitar [Audio recordings of musical performances]. Church of the Resurrection, Swanbourne.