Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: WA Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Music History: Historical Performance Practices

• Unit Code

  MUS3512

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  10

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

This unit explores historical-informed performance (HIP), from the Middle Ages up to the present day. It also reflects critically on the early music phenomenon in the twentieth century, both as an area of research and a commercial enterprise. Consideration will be given to the limitations of historical sources and indeed of authenticity as a philosophical construct. Through a series of lectures and workshops students will investigate significant historical sources, explore relevant HIP issues for their instrument, and develop historically informed performances. Issues explored include the use of historical instruments, editions, notations and their limitations, improvisation and ornamentation, rhythmic alterations and freedoms, tempi, dance characteristics, articulations and fingerings, vibrato, and other instrument specific concerns.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from MUS1516

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of important historical sources for each musical era.
2. Demonstrate understanding of important historical sources for their instrument.
3. Discuss the limitations of musical notation, authenticity, and applying historical sources.
4. Execute stylistically-informed performances of a piece from a variety of different musical eras.
5. Make modern edition of a piece of early music.

Unit Content

1. Case studies in HIP in music from different eras (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Twentieth Century).
2. Historical notations, editions and instruments.
3. Important historical sources for each musical period and particular instruments.
4. Improvisation and other performance freedoms.
5. Other technical and musical considerations (articulation, phrasing, fingering, vibrato).
6. Tempi, dances, style and character.
7. The HIP as a modern/post-modern phenomenon.
8. The limitations of authenticity.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, workshops, individual listening, reading, and score study.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• Quantz, J.J. (transl. Reilly, E.R.). (2001). On playing the flute. USA: Northeastern.
• Bash, C.P.E. (transl. Mitchell W.J.). (1948). Essay on the true art of playing keyboard instruments. USA: W.W. Norton & Co.
• Brown, C. (2004). 1750-1900 Classical and romantic performing practice 1750-1900. NY: Oxford University Press.
• Butt, J. (2002). Playing with history: The historical approach to music performance (musical performance and reception). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Donnington, R. (1992). The interpretation of early music. USA: W.W. Norton & Co.
• Philip, R. (2004). Performing music in the age of recording. USA: Yale University Press.
• Kramer, L. (2010). Interpreting music. USA: University of California Press.
• Lawson, C. (1999). The historical performance of music: An introduction (Cambridge handbooks to the historical performance of music). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Mozart, L. (transl. Einstein, A.). (1985). A treatise on the fundamental principles of violin playing. (2nd ed.). USA: Oxford University Press.
• Peres da Costa, N. (2012). Off the record: Performing practices in romantic piano playing. USA: Oxford University Press.
• Haynes, B. (2007). The end of early music: A period performer's history of music for the twenty first century. NY: Oxford University Press.

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