Ornamentation and improvisation in Mozart / Frederick Neumann.

Author/creator Neumann, Frederick
Format Book
Publication InfoPrinceton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, ©1986.
Descriptionx, 301 pages : music ; 29 cm
Subjects
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791--Criticism and interpretation.
Embellishment (Music)
Improvisation (Music)

Contents Part I. The ornaments. The Vorschlag: types, terms, symbols, sources ; The vocal appoggiatura ; The instrumental appoggiatura ; The grace note ; Ambiguities and special cases ; The Zwischenschlag ; The slide ; The trill: theory ; The trill: practice ; The turn ; The arpeggio -- Part II. Improvisations. The appoggiatura in recitative ; The appoggiatura in closed numbers ; Vocal cadenzas (fermata embellishments) ; Diminutions in arias ; The special case of the piano concertos ; Instrumental cadenzas ; Eingänge ; Embellishments in repeats.
Abstract This book is a sequel to the author's Ornamentation in Baroque and Post-Baroque Music, With Special Emphasis on J.S. Bach (Princeton, 1978). In the present volume, the first work on this subject for Mozart's music, the author continues his important contributions to the search for historically correct performance practices, and to the liberation of the performer from improperly conceived and overly restrictive interpretation of musical scores. The first part of this book attempts to free ornamentation in Mozart from rigorism that has resulted from confusing the pure abstraction of ornament tables with concrete musical situations. The second part deals with pitches that were not written in the score yet often intended to be added when Mozart left "white spots" in his notation. These additions range from single notes to lengthy cadenzas. The problem addressed is the question of where such additions are possible or necessary and how they might best be designed. Professor Neumann draws on an immense knowledge of the literature written during Mozart's time and on his own comprehension of the subtleties of Mozart's music and musical styles. Refusing to interpret the sources dogmatically, he frees performers of Mozart from the rigid principles too often imposed by modern scholars.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (pages 289-292) and index.
LCCN 85042694
ISBN0691091307 (alk. paper) :

Availability

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Music Closed Stacks - Ask at Circulation Desk ML410.M9 N26 1986 ✔ Available Place Hold