An Analysis of Double Bass Vibrato: Rates, Widths, and Pitches As Influenced by Pitch Height, Fingers Used, and Tempo James Paul Mick

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

An Analysis of Double Bass Vibrato: Rates, Widths, and Pitches As Influenced by Pitch Height, Fingers Used, and Tempo James Paul Mick Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2012 An Analysis of Double Bass Vibrato: Rates, Widths, and Pitches as Influenced by Pitch Height, Fingers Used, and Tempo James Paul Mick Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MUSIC AN ANALYSIS OF DOUBLE BASS VIBRATO: RATES, WIDTHS, AND PITCHES AS INFLUENCED BY PITCH HEIGHT, FINGERS USED, AND TEMPO By JAMES PAUL MICK A Dissertation submitted to the College of Music in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2012 James Mick defended this dissertation on March 13, 2012. The members of the supervisory committee were: Alice-Ann Darrow Professor Directing Dissertation Melanie Punter University Representative John Geringer Committee Member Steven Kelly Committee Member The Graduate School has verified and approved the above-named committee members, and certifies that the dissertation has been approved in accordance with university requirements. ii I dedicate this dissertation to Dr. Michael Allen. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation to Alice-Ann Darrow, my major professor. I honestly do not know how I would have finished if not for your continued guidance, encouragement, and dedication. Thank you for taking me as your fourth (!) doctoral student this year, and for providing the parameters that have helped me grow as a researcher, student, teacher, and person. To each of my other committee members: thank you, thank you, and thank you. Your help and guidance throughout my tenure at FSU has been invaluable. Dr. Geringer, your research classes paved the way for me to undertake this dissertation topic, and I wish I knew how to express my appreciation for your guidance after my first year of classes. Dr. Kelly, my committee would not be complete without you. I appreciate your time, feedback, expertise, and kindness of heart for joining my committee. Prof. Punter, your acceptance of me as an “honorary” student was crucial in my continued growth as both a performer and teacher. Thank you for providing a performance perspective throughout this process and for laying the groundwork for my lecture recital. It would have been impossible to collect data without the help of the following professors who graciously opened their double bass studios to my study: Harry Jacobson, Tod Leavitt, Melanie Punter, James VanDemark, and Nicholas Walker. Finally, I would like to thank my family for instilling in me the work ethic and dedication needed to complete such a massive undertaking; David Pope, my friend and colleague whose support, dedication, and loyalty was crucial to my continued growth as a teacher and person, especially after our first year of classes; Ed Kawakami, for your laughter and place to sleep when in town; Dr. Jimenez, for your musical inspiration, laughter, and open-door policy; Dr. Madsen, for your teaching inspiration and for making it possible for me to attend FSU; Lauren Smith, for patiently answering all of my questions; Keith Kaiser, for your mentorship and belief in me; and most importantly, Dr. Michael Allen, the only string pedagogue I have had as a teacher. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... viii List of Figures................................................................................................................................ ix Abstract............................................................................................................................................x 1. INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................1 Functions of String Vibrato.....................................................................................................1 Characteristics of String Vibrato.............................................................................................2 Historical Perspectives of String Vibrato................................................................................3 Need for the Study...................................................................................................................5 Purpose Statement ...................................................................................................................7 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE..................................................................................................8 Development and Pedagogical Evolution of the Double Bass................................................8 Double Bass Instrument Development ..........................................................................9 Double Bass Pedagogical Evolution............................................................................10 String Instrument Vibrato Mechanics ...................................................................................13 Double Bass (and Cello) Vibrato.................................................................................13 Violin and Viola Vibrato .............................................................................................15 Double Bass Vibrato Teaching Methods...............................................................................16 String Instrument Vibrato......................................................................................................18 Vibrato Rate.................................................................................................................18 Pedagogical Views..............................................................................................18 Empirical Research .............................................................................................19 Perception Research............................................................................................20 Vibrato Width ..............................................................................................................20 Pedagogical Views..............................................................................................20 Empirical Research .............................................................................................21 Perception Research............................................................................................23 Effect of Individual Fingers on Vibrato Rate and Width.............................................23 Pedagogical Views..............................................................................................23 Empirical Research .............................................................................................24 Effect of Pitch Height (Register) on Vibrato Rate and Width.....................................25 Pedagogical Views..............................................................................................25 Empirical Research .............................................................................................26 Effect of Tempo on Vibrato Rate and Width...............................................................27 Pedagogical Views..............................................................................................27 Empirical Research .............................................................................................28 v Pitch Center..................................................................................................................28 Pedagogical Views..............................................................................................28 Empirical Research .............................................................................................29 Perception Research............................................................................................31 Rationale and Research Questions ........................................................................................31 3. METHOD..............................................................................................................................33 Participants ............................................................................................................................33 Musical Stimuli .....................................................................................................................34 Procedure...............................................................................................................................35 4. RESULTS..............................................................................................................................39 Data Analysis.........................................................................................................................39 Reliability ..............................................................................................................................41 Analysis Results ....................................................................................................................41 Research Question #1: Totals ......................................................................................41 Rate .....................................................................................................................42 Width...................................................................................................................44
Recommended publications
  • PERFORMED IDENTITIES: HEAVY METAL MUSICIANS BETWEEN 1984 and 1991 Bradley C. Klypchak a Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate
    PERFORMED IDENTITIES: HEAVY METAL MUSICIANS BETWEEN 1984 AND 1991 Bradley C. Klypchak A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY May 2007 Committee: Dr. Jeffrey A. Brown, Advisor Dr. John Makay Graduate Faculty Representative Dr. Ron E. Shields Dr. Don McQuarie © 2007 Bradley C. Klypchak All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Dr. Jeffrey A. Brown, Advisor Between 1984 and 1991, heavy metal became one of the most publicly popular and commercially successful rock music subgenres. The focus of this dissertation is to explore the following research questions: How did the subculture of heavy metal music between 1984 and 1991 evolve and what meanings can be derived from this ongoing process? How did the contextual circumstances surrounding heavy metal music during this period impact the performative choices exhibited by artists, and from a position of retrospection, what lasting significance does this particular era of heavy metal merit today? A textual analysis of metal- related materials fostered the development of themes relating to the selective choices made and performances enacted by metal artists. These themes were then considered in terms of gender, sexuality, race, and age constructions as well as the ongoing negotiations of the metal artist within multiple performative realms. Occurring at the juncture of art and commerce, heavy metal music is a purposeful construction. Metal musicians made performative choices for serving particular aims, be it fame, wealth, or art. These same individuals worked within a greater system of influence. Metal bands were the contracted employees of record labels whose own corporate aims needed to be recognized.
    [Show full text]
  • CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE Violin Vibrato and Its Application a Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requ
    CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE Violin Vibrato and its Application A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Master of Music in Music, Performance By Yifan Tang May 2018 The thesis of Yifan Tang is approved: _________________________________________ ______________ Dr. Diane Roscetti Date _________________________________________ ______________ Dr. John Roscigno Date _________________________________________ ______________ Dr. Lorenz Gamma, Chair Date California State University, Northridge ii Acknowledgments I would like to deeply thank Dr. Lorenz Gamma for being my mentor in both violin study and academic field in my pursuit of the Master of Music degree at California State University, Northridge. With the guidance and inspiration from Professor Gamma, I learned to play music in an artistic way and also got the chance to learn viola. The entire journey was full of challenges yet a lot of fun. Additionally, I am sincerely thankful for Dr. Diane Roscetti and Dr. John Roscigno for their invaluable assistance not only on this project, but also in other performing and academic experience during my master studies. iii Table of Contents Signature page ii Acknowledgments iii List of Figures v Abstract vi Introduction 1 What is vibrato? 3 To use vibrato or not? 5 Vibrato practice 7 - Vibrato exercises 9 - Common problems in the vibrato practice 10 The diversity of the vibrato 14 The distinctive vibrato application in the Western and Chinese violin works 17 Conclusion 23 Bibliography 25 List of Figures Fig. 1. 11 Vibrato, first phase: the stopping finger stands on the string gradually gripping on. Fig. 2. 11 Vibrato, first phase: the stopping finger straightens the fingertip broadly lying on the string.
    [Show full text]
  • Heavy Metal and Classical Literature
    Lusty, “Rocking the Canon” LATCH, Vol. 6, 2013, pp. 101-138 ROCKING THE CANON: HEAVY METAL AND CLASSICAL LITERATURE By Heather L. Lusty University of Nevada, Las Vegas While metalheads around the world embrace the engaging storylines of their favorite songs, the influence of canonical literature on heavy metal musicians does not appear to have garnered much interest from the academic world. This essay considers a wide swath of canonical literature from the Bible through the Science Fiction/Fantasy trend of the 1960s and 70s and presents examples of ways in which musicians adapt historical events, myths, religious themes, and epics into their own contemporary art. I have constructed artificial categories under which to place various songs and albums, but many fit into (and may appear in) multiple categories. A few bands who heavily indulge in literary sources, like Rush and Styx, don’t quite make my own “heavy metal” category. Some bands that sit 101 Lusty, “Rocking the Canon” LATCH, Vol. 6, 2013, pp. 101-138 on the edge of rock/metal, like Scorpions and Buckcherry, do. Other examples, like Megadeth’s “Of Mice and Men,” Metallica’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and Cradle of Filth’s “Nymphetamine” won’t feature at all, as the thematic inspiration is clear, but the textual connections tenuous.1 The categories constructed here are necessarily wide, but they allow for flexibility with the variety of approaches to literature and form. A segment devoted to the Bible as a source text has many pockets of variation not considered here (country music, Christian rock, Christian metal).
    [Show full text]
  • A Performer's Guide to Hertl's Concerto for Double Bass
    A Performer's Guide To Frantisek Hertl's Concerto for Double Bass Item Type text; Electronic Dissertation Authors Roederer, Jason Kyle Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 06/10/2021 15:16:02 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/194487 A PERFORMER’S GUIDE TO HERTL’S CONCERTO FOR DOUBLE BASS by Jason Kyle Roederer ________________________ Copyright © Jason Kyle Roederer 2009 A Document Submitted to the Faculty of the SCHOOL OF MUSIC In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2009 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE As members of the Document Committee, we certify that we have read the document prepared by Jason Kyle Roederer entitled A Performer’s Guide to Hertl’s Concerto for Double Bass and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the document requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Musical Arts _______________________________________________________Date: April 17, 2009 Patrick Neher _______________________________________________________Date: April 17, 2009 Mark Rush _______________________________________________________Date: April 17, 2009 Thomas Patterson Final approval and acceptance of this document is contingent upon the candidate’s submission of the final copies of the document to the Graduate College. I hereby certify that I have read this document prepared under my direction and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the document requirement.
    [Show full text]
  • Bassist Bryant Wilder's Fingerprints
    NEWS MAGAZINE SHOP PLAYERS GEAR LEARN MEDIA WIN # ! + BASS CDS SUBSCRIBE NOW Bassist Bryant Wilder’s Get Cool Bass News! Fingerprints email address Subscribe By Bass Musician ! Published on August 18, 2020 ! Share " Tweet # Subscribe Bassist Robert Harper, Ride With Me Pluckwild Music Is thrilled to announce the release of the latest album from Bryant Wilder, Fingerprints, available everywhere on August 21, 2020. Fingerprints is an eclectic blend of incredible funk, salsa and gospel. # Interview with Bassist If you like Bruno Mars, you’ll love Fingerprints hit single, WtF ! Ricardo Martinez Trending (Where’s the Funk, featuring The Schtank Machine), an indisputable $ groove that will make you get to groovin’. BASS BOOKS ) The Beatles: Sgt Pepper’s Bass # 1 Bryant has held a bass since he was 14. Transcriptions ! The bassist, songwriter, arranger and producer has recorded and $ performed with artists such as Missy Elliot, The CD Hawkins Singers, BASS HISTORY ) Fretless Bass History New Kids On The Block and Shirley Caesar on many of the world # 2 greatest stages, including; Saturday Night Live, Radio City Music Hall, ! Interview with Bassist Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden (MSG). Fingerprints is his $ Mitch Friedman sophomore album, following The Right Track, which was released in BASS BOOKS ) 2004. Dream Theater Bass Transcriptions – Images # 3 And Words ! PluckWild Music is a production company devoted to making music $ that people want to hear. Productions blend live instrumentation and BASS BOOKS ) synthesizers that create intense low-end, head bobbing, feet tapping Tab Appendix – Grooving # songs that listeners hum for days. With Hybrid Techniques 4 ! Visit Bryant Wilder online at bryantwilder.com $ Interview with Bassist BASS GIVEAWAYS ) Teymur Phell The Summer Splash View More Music News Bass Musician Giveaway, 5 Sponsored by Elixir Strings ADVERTISEMENT You may also like..
    [Show full text]
  • Downbeat.Com April 2011 U.K. £3.50
    £3.50 £3.50 U.K. PRIL 2011 DOWNBEAT.COM A D OW N B E AT MARSALIS FAMILY // WOMEN IN JAZZ // KURT ELLING // BENNY GREEN // BRASS SCHOOL APRIL 2011 APRIL 2011 VOLume 78 – NumbeR 4 President Kevin Maher Publisher Frank Alkyer Editor Ed Enright Associate Editor Aaron Cohen Art Director Ara Tirado Production Associate Andy Williams Bookkeeper Margaret Stevens Circulation Manager Sue Mahal Circulation Associate Maureen Flaherty ADVERTISING SALES Record Companies & Schools Jennifer Ruban-Gentile 630-941-2030 [email protected] Musical Instruments & East Coast Schools Ritche Deraney 201-445-6260 [email protected] Classified Advertising Sales Sue Mahal 630-941-2030 [email protected] OFFICES 102 N. Haven Road Elmhurst, IL 60126–2970 630-941-2030 Fax: 630-941-3210 http://downbeat.com [email protected] CUSTOMER SERVICE 877-904-5299 [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Senior Contributors: Michael Bourne, John McDonough, Howard Mandel Atlanta: Jon Ross; Austin: Michael Point, Kevin Whitehead; Boston: Fred Bouchard, Frank-John Hadley; Chicago: John Corbett, Alain Drouot, Michael Jackson, Peter Margasak, Bill Meyer, Mitch Myers, Paul Natkin, Howard Reich; Denver: Norman Provizer; Indiana: Mark Sheldon; Iowa: Will Smith; Los Angeles: Earl Gibson, Todd Jenkins, Kirk Silsbee, Chris Walker, Joe Woodard; Michigan: John Ephland; Minneapolis: Robin James; Nashville: Robert Doerschuk; New Orleans: Erika Goldring, David Kunian, Jennifer Odell; New York: Alan Bergman, Herb Boyd, Bill Douthart, Ira Gitler, Eugene Gologursky, Norm Harris, D.D. Jackson, Jimmy Katz,
    [Show full text]
  • The String Family
    The String Family When you look at a string instrument, the first thing you'll probably notice is that it's made of wood, so why is it called a string instrument? The bodies of the string instruments, which are hollow inside to allow sound to vibrate within them, are made of different kinds of wood, but the part of the instrument that makes the sound is the strings, which are made of nylon, steel or sometimes gut. The strings are played most often by drawing a bow across them. The handle of the bow is made of wood and the strings of the bow are actually horsehair from horses' tails! Sometimes the musicians will use their fingers to pluck the strings, and occasionally they will turn the bow upside down and play the strings with the wooden handle. The strings are the largest family of instruments in the orchestra and they come in four sizes: the violin, which is the smallest, viola, cello, and the biggest, the double bass, sometimes called the contrabass. (Bass is pronounced "base," as in "baseball.") The smaller instruments, the violin and viola, make higher-pitched sounds, while the larger cello and double bass produce low rich sounds. They are all similarly shaped, with curvy wooden bodies and wooden necks. The strings stretch over the body and neck and attach to small decorative heads, where they are tuned with small tuning pegs. The violin is the smallest instrument of the string family, and makes the highest sounds. There are more violins in the orchestra than any other instrument they are divided into two groups: first and second.
    [Show full text]
  • 20Questions Interview by David Brent Johnson Photography by Steve Raymer for David Baker
    20questions Interview by David Brent Johnson Photography by Steve Raymer for David Baker If Benny Goodman was the “King of Swing” periodically to continue his studies over the B-Town and Edward Kennedy Ellington was “the Duke,” next decade, leading a renowned IU-based then David Baker could be called “the Dean big band while expanding his artistic and Hero and Jazz of Jazz.” Distinguished Professor of Music at compositional horizons with musical scholars Indiana University and conductor of the Smithso- such as George Russell and Gunther Schuller. nian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, he is at home In 1966 he settled in the city for good and Legend performing in concert halls, traveling around the began what is now a world-renowned jazz world, or playing in late-night jazz bars. studies program at IU’s Jacobs School of Music. Born in Indianapolis in 1931, he grew up A pioneer of jazz education, a superlative in a thriving mid-20th-century local jazz scene trombonist forced in his early 30s to switch that begat greats such as J.J. Johnson and Wes to cello, a prolific composer, Pulitzer and Montgomery. Baker first came to Bloomington Grammy nominee and Emmy winner whose as a student in the fall of 1949, returning numerous other honors include the Kennedy 56 Bloom | August/September 2007 Toddler David in Indianapolis, circa 1933. Photo courtesy of the Baker family Center for the Performing Arts “Living Jazz Legend Award,” he performs periodically in Bloomington with his wife Lida and is unstintingly generous with the precious commodity of his time.
    [Show full text]
  • The Composer's Guide to the Tuba
    THE COMPOSER’S GUIDE TO THE TUBA: CREATING A NEW RESOURCE ON THE CAPABILITIES OF THE TUBA FAMILY Aaron Michael Hynds A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF MUSICAL ARTS August 2019 Committee: David Saltzman, Advisor Marco Nardone Graduate Faculty Representative Mikel Kuehn Andrew Pelletier © 2019 Aaron Michael Hynds All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT David Saltzman, Advisor The solo repertoire of the tuba and euphonium has grown exponentially since the middle of the 20th century, due in large part to the pioneering work of several artist-performers on those instruments. These performers sought out and collaborated directly with composers, helping to produce works that sensibly and musically used the tuba and euphonium. However, not every composer who wishes to write for the tuba and euphonium has access to world-class tubists and euphonists, and the body of available literature concerning the capabilities of the tuba family is both small in number and lacking in comprehensiveness. This document seeks to remedy this situation by producing a comprehensive and accessible guide on the capabilities of the tuba family. An analysis of the currently-available materials concerning the tuba family will give direction on the structure and content of this new guide, as will the dissemination of a survey to the North American composition community. The end result, the Composer’s Guide to the Tuba, is a practical, accessible, and composer-centric guide to the modern capabilities of the tuba family of instruments. iv To Sara and Dad, who both kept me going with their never-ending love.
    [Show full text]
  • The Hard Bop Trombone: an Exploration of the Improvisational Styles of the Four Trombonist Who Defined the Genre (1955-1964)
    Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports 2019 The Hard Bop Trombone: An exploration of the improvisational styles of the four trombonist who defined the genre (1955-1964) Emmett Curtis Goods West Virginia University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd Part of the Music Performance Commons Recommended Citation Goods, Emmett Curtis, "The Hard Bop Trombone: An exploration of the improvisational styles of the four trombonist who defined the genre (1955-1964)" (2019). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 7464. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/7464 This Dissertation is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by the The Research Repository @ WVU with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Dissertation in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you must obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Dissertation has been accepted for inclusion in WVU Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports collection by an authorized administrator of The Research Repository @ WVU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Hard Bop Trombone: An exploration of the improvisational styles of the four trombonist who defined the genre (1955-1964) Emmett C. Goods Dissertation submitted to the School of Music at West Virginia University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts in Trombone Performance H.
    [Show full text]
  • Acoustical Studies on the Flat-Backed and Round- Backed Double Bass
    Acoustical Studies on the Flat-backed and Round- backed Double Bass Dissertation zur Erlangung des Doktorats der Philosophie eingereicht an der Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien von Mag. Andrew William Brown Betreuer: O. Prof. Mag. Gregor Widholm emer. O. Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Franz Födermayr Wien, April 2004 “Nearer confidences of the gods did Sisyphus covet; his work was his reward” i Table of Contents List of Figures iii List of Tables ix Forward x 1 The Back Plate of the Double Bass 1 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 The Form of the Double Bass 2 1.3 The Form of Other Bowed Instruments 4 2 Surveys and Literature on the Flat-backed and Round-backed Double Bass 12 2.1 Surveys of Instrument Makers 12 2.2 Surveys Among Musicians 20 2.3 Literature on the Acoustics of the Flat-backed Bass and 25 the Round-Backed Double Bass 3 Experimental Techniques in Bowed Instrument Research 31 3.1 Frequency Response Curves of Radiated Sound 32 3.2 Near-Field Acoustical Holography 33 3.3 Input Admittance 34 3.4 Modal Analysis 36 3.5 Finite Element Analysis 38 3.6 Laser Optical Methods 39 3.7 Combined Methods 41 3.8 Summary 42 ii 4 The Double Bass Under Acoustical Study 46 4.1 The Double Bass as a Static Structure 48 4.2 The Double Bass as a Sound Source 53 5 Experiments 56 5.1 Test Instruments 56 5.2 Setup of Frequency Response Measurements 58 5.3 Setup of Input Admittance Measurements 66 5.4 Setup of Laser Vibrometry Measurements 68 5.5 Setup of Listening Tests 69 6 Results 73 6.1 Results of Radiated Frequency Response Measurements 73 6.2 Results of Input Admittance Measurements 79 6.3 Results of Laser Vibrometry Measurements.
    [Show full text]
  • Guide to Repertoire
    Guide to Repertoire The chamber music repertoire is both wonderful and almost endless. Some have better grips on it than others, but all who are responsible for what the public hears need to know the landscape of the art form in an overall way, with at least a basic awareness of its details. At the end of the day, it is the music itself that is the substance of the work of both the performer and presenter. Knowing the basics of the repertoire will empower anyone who presents concerts. Here is a run-down of the meat-and-potatoes of the chamber literature, organized by instrumentation, with some historical context. Chamber music ensembles can be most simple divided into five groups: those with piano, those with strings, wind ensembles, mixed ensembles (winds plus strings and sometimes piano), and piano ensembles. Note: The listings below barely scratch the surface of repertoire available for all types of ensembles. The Major Ensembles with Piano The Duo Sonata (piano with one violin, viola, cello or wind instrument) Duo repertoire is generally categorized as either a true duo sonata (solo instrument and piano are equal partners) or as a soloist and accompanist ensemble. For our purposes here we are only discussing the former. Duo sonatas have existed since the Baroque era, and Johann Sebastian Bach has many examples, all with “continuo” accompaniment that comprises full partnership. His violin sonatas, especially, are treasures, and can be performed equally effectively with harpsichord, fortepiano or modern piano. Haydn continued to develop the genre; Mozart wrote an enormous number of violin sonatas (mostly for himself to play as he was a professional-level violinist as well).
    [Show full text]