DOCSLIB.ORG

Pembroke College Record 2006 - 2007 Contents

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Pembroke College Record 2006 - 2007 Contents Pembroke College Record 2006 - 2007 Contents Master's Notes 3 Feature Article: The World of James Smithson by Heather Ewing 6 Feature Article: A Pembroke Launch for Smithson 10 Master and Fellows 2006-7 11 Welcomes and Farewells in the Pembroke Community 14 New Professorships Amongst Pembroke Fellows 22 Fellows' Publications 2006-7 23 University and Other Distinctions 35 College Societies 39 JCR 39 MCR 40 Blackstone Society 42 Music Society 42 College Wine Society 44 College Choir 44 College Sports 46 Damon Wells Chapel 59 The McGowin Library 61 The Emery Gallery 62 The College Archives 64 Samuel Johnson News 67 Feature Article: Pembroke and the Oxford Portraits Project 68 Alumni News and Features 70 News 70 Damon Wells: a Profile 76 Rededication of the War Memorial 77 Minutes of the Pembroke Society AGM 78 Alumni Representatives 79 Obituaries 83 2 Master's Notes This has been another year in which a very positive atmosphere has prevailed in the College on many fronts. We have been able to appoint two excellent new Fellows in place of those retiring: Dr Linda Flores (Japanese) and Dr Gabriel Uzquiano Cruz (Philosophy). After an 18 month gap, a new Strategic Development Director has been appointed in Andrew Seton, formerly an investment banker. Andrew is a Fellow and member of the Governing Body. Our most substantial current benefactor, Dr Damon Wells (an Honorary Fellow) was admitted to the Chancellor of the University’s Court of Benefactors and had his name inscribed on the Clarendon Arch to recognise the extent of his generosity, thereby joining a most distinguished list of benefactors to the University over several centuries. One of our alumni, Sir Robert Crawford, the Director-General of the Imperial War Museum, was knighted in the New Year’s Honours List and we extend our congratulations. We succeeded in a major fundraising feat, securing the permanent endowment of a new Fellowship in Chinese Studies, one of the central priorities in our Strategic Plan, together with funds towards a Research Fellowship in the subject. Dr Stanley Ho, the benefactor, becomes a Foundation Fellow of the College. We elected three new Honorary Fellows: Professor Simon Blackburn, Professor of Philosophy at Cambridge University (and formerly Tutorial Fellow in Philosophy at Pembroke), Professor Nicholas Mann, Dean of the School of Advanced Study and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of London (and formerly Tutorial Fellow in French at Pembroke) and Sir Peter Ricketts, the Permanent Under Secretary at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (and alumnus of the College). The new Honorary Fellows were feted by us at the revived Wightwick Dinner in May at which our distinguished Visitor (and the Chancellor of the University), Chris Patten, was present. Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the year was the performance in Finals of 3 Master's Notes (continued) Pembroke students. In the Norrington Table, which ranks the comparative success of each College in Finals, we achieved 10th position with 31 Firsts and 75 2:1s. This is by far the highest ranking in the Norrington Table achieved by Pembroke in recent memory. Two of our students obtained the top Firsts across the University in their subjects, Rob Avis in English and Ed Mitchard in Biology. No one should think that these academic successes by students are achieved at the cost of extra-curricular activities. For example, this year the President of the JCR achieved a First in her Finals (being the third JCR President in succession to do so); and Ed Mitchard referred to above has been an outstanding Organ Scholar in his time at the College, being responsible for a massive leap in the range and quality of music in the College and in particular for transforming the Choir into a high calibre group of performers. Indeed, music is now increasingly at the heart of Pembroke activity. The Choir has thrilled with many of its performances this year and has recently been on tour in Esto- nia. It returned to take up an invitation from the University to perform at the ceremony for the induction of new members to the Chancellor’s Court of Benefactors, which it did in stunning fashion. Our two singing Scholarships, provided by an alumna, Nicola Harrison, are greatly appreciated. The informal recitals in the Master’s Lodgings con- tinue twice a term to attract a range of musicians performing either on their own or in duets or quartets. We have had two excellent concerts and an enterprising performance of ‘All That Jazz’ in the Hall (with contributors drawn in, as in previous recent years, from many other Colleges). A small a cappella group entertained the guests in College at the new Ossulston Lunch for major donors. The way in which music flourishes in the College, in so many different ways, is a source of great delight to me. The Emery Art Gallery, located in the upper reaches of the Alms building and housing some of the key works belonging to the marvellous JCR Art Collection, has been much visited and admired by students, alumni and others. An outstanding website showing off the Collection has now been created and is part of the ‘new look’ College website. The very recent launch of the redesigned College website was a significant highlight, 4 Master's Recitals continue twice a term A College Colours ceremony with Pembroke sports players as it demonstrates the importance being placed on communicating effectively with prospective students, alumni and conference clients alike. The new design aims to make information more accessible and appealing to prospective students and conference clients, and the new on-line community for alumni is intended to improve connections between all members of the Pembroke community. It is now possible to use the website to re-establish contact with contemporaries, to provide careers guidance to current students, to book places at alumni events, and to make donations to the College. The students in the College continue their now customary widespread participation and success in sport. Women have been particularly successful in netball and rugby and the performance of their First VIII in Summer Eights in rowing over all four days in a very competitive First Division, with five novices in the crew, was a splendid achievement. The mens’ First VIII was the fastest crew on the river in Summer Eights, and very nearly managed to bump Magdalen to go Head. We were once again the College with the largest number of crews on the river. We continue to work hard to find solutions for our serious graduate and undergraduate accommodation shortfall, mention of which I made in these Notes last year. It would be wonderful to have some favourable news to report on this in the near future. All in all, I am confident that you will find reflected in this issue of the Record the stimulating and successful year which the College has experienced. Giles Henderson Master of Pembroke 5 The World of James Smithson: Eighteenth Century Pembroke and the Foundation of the Smithsonian Institution Just inside Pembroke College, on a courtyard wall by the Porters’ Lodge, is a plaque commemorating one of Pembroke’s more illustrious alumni, James Smithson. Smithson’s story is an extraordinary one, and yet it is one that is scarcely known. James Smithson matriculated in 1782 as James Louis Macie (his mother’s name, which he retained until he was 35 years old). He was the illegitimate son of the first Duke of Northumberland (formerly known as Hugh Smithson), born in secret in Paris, and his mother was a cousin of the Duchess of Northumberland and a wealthy widow in her own right. Smithson dedicated his life to chemistry and mineralogy, living a restless, peripatetic life amidst the capitals of Europe. He never married and had no children. At the end of his life he left his fortune in a contingency clause of his will to the United States to found in Washington, D.C., under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, “an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men.” The Smithsonian Institution, of course, went on to become the largest museum and research complex in the world. Today it spans some nineteen museums of art and history and science, and the National Zoo, as well as scientific research stations in many countries. It is most famous as the home of America’s iconic cultural heritage: the Star-Spangled Banner, Abraham Lincoln’s top hat, Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, and Dorothy’s ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz. But not many people know that this most American of places was the creation of a Pembrokian: one who never even set foot in the United States. I came to Oxford in 2000 at the start of my research, in the hopes of finding evidence of Smithson’s life here. The Smithsonian lost virtually all of Smithson’s papers and belongings in a fire early in the institution’s history, and little was known about their founder; I hoped through the papers and diaries of others to be able to gain a new window into this lost life. In Pembroke’s Archives I pored through the battel or buttery books, which recorded the students’ daily expenditures. They gave me clues as to when he was in residence, and they also showed how much he was spending in relation to his classmates (Smithson was often the biggest spender, or close to the top of the list). Oxford in Smithson’s day was a famously decadent place. Some professors had not taught a course in years, and many of the wealthier students scarcely attended lectures.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • St John's JCR ALTERNATIVE PROSPECTUS ? 08 E D I S N I
    St John's JCR ALTERNATIVE PROSPECTUS ? 08 e d i s n i s ' t a h W Introduction to JCR My time at John’s so far has been like a movie. But as a A day in the life prospective student in your shoes I was under barrage from rumours of John’s “elitism”. Seriously look on any online forum Academia and it’s like googling Angelina Jolie and seeing “and Brad Pitt” Living in John's being suggested – always put together but in actual reality separate (certainly now in 2020). Whilst many may have Societies lamented the separation of the two movie stars, I certainly did Equality at John's not for the separation of John’s from its “elitism”, especially as Support a kid who’d grown up like most have in state schools. Applying to John's I find John’s student life progressive and exciting. It’s a community that’s as open and welcoming as it is close knit. Like Angelina, John’s is gorgeous but I hold that this college Will - 1st year Medic stands out above others for reasons beyond that. Its special because of the people who live and define it. Modern and dynamic, our student body is large. Hi, my name is Will, I study medicine at St John’s College and am the JCR Equal With that in mind I pass you, the reader, to the student of St Opportunities officer for 2020. Before you John’s. We’ve come together to give you a taste of our college dive into this alternative prospectus, I’d like life – written by students for students.
    [Show full text]
  • National Life Stories an Oral History of British Science
    NATIONAL LIFE STORIES AN ORAL HISTORY OF BRITISH SCIENCE Professor Michael McIntyre Interviewed by Paul Merchant C1379/72 Please refer to the Oral History curators at the British Library prior to any publication or broadcast from this document. Oral History The British Library 96 Euston Road London NW1 2DB United Kingdom +44 (0)20 7412 7404 [email protected] Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this transcript, however no transcript is an exact translation of the spoken word, and this document is intended to be a guide to the original recording, not replace it. Should you find any errors please inform the Oral History curators The British Library National Life Stories Interview Summary Sheet Title Page Ref no: C1379/72 Collection title: An Oral History of British Science Interviewee’s surname: McIntyre Title: Professor Interviewee’s forename: Michael Sex: Male Occupation: Applied Date and place of birth: 28/7/1941, Sydney, mathematician Australia Mother’s occupation: / Father’s occupation: Neurophysiologist Dates of recording, tracks (from – to): 28/03/12 (track 1-3), 29/03/12 (track 4-6), 30/03/12 (track 7-8) Location of interview: Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge Name of interviewer: Dr Paul Merchant Type of recorder: Marantz PMD661 Recording format : WAV 24 bit 48kHz Total no. of tracks: 8 Mono/Stereo: Stereo Total Duration: 9:03:31 Additional material: The interview transcripts for McIntyre’s mother, Anne, father, Archibald Keverall and aunt, Anne Edgeworth are available for public access. Please contact the oral history section for more details.
    [Show full text]
  • Aaa Worldwise
    AAA FALL 2017 WORLDWISE Route 66 Revival p. 32 Dressing for Access p. 38 South Africa: A Tale of Two Cities p. 48 TWO OF A KIND: THE ORIGINAL COLLEGE TOWNS Cambridge MASSACHUSETTS Just north of Boston and home to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, this city oozes intellectualism and college spirit. COURTESY OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY HARVARD OF COURTESY Harvard and the Charles River STAY SEE When celebs come to Harvard, they’re put up at Harvard University’s three venerable art the AAA Four Diamond Charles Hotel. Just museums were brought under one roof in minutes from Harvard Yard, The Charles has a 2014 and collectively dubbed the Harvard well-stocked in-house library and one of the best Art Museums. Their collections include some breakfasts in town at Henrietta’s Table. The 250,000 art works dating from ancient times to 31-room luxury Hotel Veritas—described by the present and spanning the globe. The MIT a GQ magazine review as “a classic Victorian Museum, not surprisingly, focuses on science and mansion that went to Art Deco finishing technology. It includes the Polaroid Historical school”—boasts 24-hour concierge service Collection of cameras and photographs, the COURTESY OF HOTEL VERITAS HOTEL OF COURTESY and a location in Harvard Square. Those who MIT Robotics Collection and the world’s Hotel Veritas prefer to bed down near the Massachusetts most comprehensive holography collection. Institute of Technology (MIT) should check in Beyond the universities, visit the Longfellow at The Kendall Hotel, which brings boutique House–Washington’s Headquarters, the accommodations to a converted 19th-century preserved, furnished home of 19th-century poet firehouse.
    [Show full text]
  • Jesus College May Ball (Cambridge) Privacy Notice Last Modified March
    Jesus College May Ball (Cambridge) Privacy Notice Last modified March 2019 About this Privacy Notice In this Privacy Notice, references to “we”, “us” and “our” are to Jesus College May Ball (Cambridge). We are committed to protecting your personal data. Personal data is any information relating to an identifiable living person who can be directly or indirectly identified by reference to this data. This privacy notice relates to our use of any personal data that you directly provide us. We will comply with data protection law which requires that personal data we hold about you is: ● used lawfully, fairly and in a transparent way; ● collected only for valid purposes that we have clearly explained to you and not used in any way incompatible with those purposes; ● relevant to the purposes we have told you about and limited only to those purposes; ● accurate and kept up to date; ● kept only as long as necessary for the purposes we have told you about; ● kept securely. This privacy notice will therefore inform you as to who we are, what personal data we collect, the purposes for which we use it, for how long we retain it and how we keep it secure, your rights in relation to you personal data, and how you can contact us to discuss, query or obtain details of the personal data we hold about you. Topics 1. Who we are 2. Whose personal data we process 3. Why we process your personal data 4. Personal data sources 5. How we will inform you about our privacy notice 6.
    [Show full text]
  • In Girton Varsity Exclusively Reveals Allegations of Student Attack During the Early Hours of March 17Th
    GENERAL ELECTION 2005 - Varsity meets all your parliamentary candidates -PAGES 4 & 5 - Your Vote: Comment & Analysis -PAGES 5, 10, 18 - Howard Flight, Tessa Jowell & Lord McNally -PAGES 4 & 5 No. 619 The Independent Cambridge Student Newspaper since 1947 Friday April 29, 2005 Six undergraduates arrested over “serious sexual assault” in Girton Varsity exclusively reveals allegations of student attack during the early hours of March 17th Varsity News Reporter end-of-term bop with the title morning of the 17th and have crime scene. been careful to keep the inci- tioned by the police. They of “Rumble in the Jungle”, now been released on bail. The incident is alleged to dent discreet. No announce- have since been released on organised on March 16th by The individuals accused have occured during the early ment of the event has yet been bail pending further question- POLICE OFFICERS are the Girton College JCR. were seen returning to Girton hours in central Girton made to Girton students. ing at a later date.” investigating a report of a very Varsity has chosen not to dis- during the early hours of the College accommodation. Cambridge University Press The six male individuals serious sexual assault alleged close the names of the under- 17th wearing police overalls, Neighbouring students were Office confirmed that have been bailed to return to to have taken place in Girton graduate victim or those of his creating speculation that their particularly shocked at the “Cambridgeshire police were Parkside Police Station on College during the early hours six alleged male attackers. clothes had been confiscated fact that the event is said to called to an alleged incident at Thursday May 5th.
    [Show full text]
  • 31 October 1990
    6916 IGPeqretatn'e Anewmbtg Wednesday, 31 October 1990 THE SPEAKER (Mr Mchael Bamnett) took the Chair at 10.00 am, and read prayers. PETITION - DUCK SHOOTING tan Opposition MR HOUSE (Stiiding) [10.03 am]: I present the following petition - To: The Honourable the Speaker and members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled. We, the undersigned request the Government of Western Australia to respect the wishes of the people of Western Australia regarding the proposed State Government move to ban recreational duck shooting, under an amendment to the Wildlife Conservation Act. We soundly reject any such amendment to remove the traditional right of Western Australian citizens to engage in lawful hunting of game bird species. The petition bears 180 signatures and I certify that it conforms to the Standing Orders of the Legislative Assembly. The SPEAKER: I direct that the petition be brought to the Table of the House. [See petition No L57.] PETITION - MINERAL SANDS, NANNUP REGION Road TransportOpposition -Rail TransportSupport MR BLAIKIE (Vasse) [10.05 am]: I present the following petition - To: The Honourable the Speaker and members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled. We, the undersigned, are totally opposed to the transportation by road of mineral sands ftom the Nannup region using the existing road systems to the Bunbury region. We believe that all1 minerals should be transported by rail in the interests of safety and the future of the tourism industry in this area and that the existing railway land between Capel/Busselton and Bussehtorvannup should be retained for this purpose.
    [Show full text]
  • Oxfordshire County Music Service
    Oxfordshire County Music Service School Music Opportunities Brochure 2018/19 Welcome and Introduction All the latest details of dates, times, venues and special offers will be regularly updated on our website and through social media. I am pleased to present our annual brochure If you would like to discuss any of the packed full of wonderful music opportunities. While offers contained within this catalogue, or if instrumental and vocal lessons remain a core service, there is a service you would like to discuss with us we organise many ensembles, events and other which is not listed, please call us on 01865 816990 opportunities. We’d like young musicians to feel part or email [email protected]. We look of a wider team, to make friends and to have fun! forward to receiving your order as soon as possible. You’ll find something for everyone - the very young, Angela Turton children, sixth formers and adults. Head of Oxfordshire County Music Service Index Key 3 First Access (sometimes known as Whole Class Tuition /WCET) 4 Play On, Curriculum Delivery, Music Advisory Service 5 Instrumental and Vocal Tuition in Schools 6 School Purchased Weekly Ensembles 7 Vocal Opportunities for your Pupils 8 – 9 Vocal Opportunities for your School 10-11 Early Years 12 Key Stage One including Stringbabies® 13 JamPod Suite / Music Technology lessons 14 Schools’ Concert / Advanced Musicianship Programme 15 Instrumental Events for your Pupils 16-17 Continuing Professional Development 18-19 Music Hub Partnership Breakfast / Music Mark Membership /
    [Show full text]
  • 750Th Anniversary Celebrations 2014
    celebrating 750 years | merton ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS 1264 2014 1 celebrating 750 years | merton celebrating 750 years | merton 2014 CALENDAR OF EVENTS contents 4 Birthday Weekend JAN 5 Birthday Weekend Timetable TH 11th - 17th 15th 17th - 24th 19th MERTON COLLEGE’S 750 ANNIVERSARY Warden’s visit to Merton Warden’s visit to Epiphany Hong Kong (p.24) Conversation in Japan (p.24) Carol Service (p.21) 6 Birthday Weekend speakers Hong Kong (p.10) 2014 IS ALMOST HERE 8 Birthday Weekend Dinner & Birthday Party FEB MAR 28th 1st 9 Birthday Weekend family events Merton The Dream of Conversation Gerontius in Oxford (p.11) The Sheldonian 10 Merton Conversations Theatre (p. 20) Hong Kong - with Sir Callum McCarthy, Charles Li and Alejandro Reyes APRIL 4th – 6th 9th - 21st 12th 26th 11 Oxford – with Professor Dame Jessica Rawson Passiontide Choir in the USA Merton Inaugural Organ at Merton (p.20) 11th - 13th Conversation and Concert by and Lord Patten of Barnes MC3 Weekend MC3 Weekend in John Scott (p. 19) (p.24) New York (p. 12) 12 New York - with Sir Howard Stringer and Mark Thompson MAY 15th 24th 31st 13 Royal Society, London – with Stephen Fry, Merton Organ Concert by Summer After years of planning, we are and fireworks and will culminate on Conversation at James O’Donnell Eights Dinner (p.22) Professor Brian Cox and Lord May of Oxford the Sunday with a Family Garden Party. the Royal Society, (p. 19) incredibly proud to present a calendar London (p. 13) of events that will bring together the Mertonians are warmly invited to come back 14 BAFTA, London - with the Rt Hon Sir Brian Merton College community for the to the College for this unique celebration.
    [Show full text]
  • We Are TEN – in This Issue
    RVW No.31 NEW 2004 Final 6/10/04 10:36 Page 1 Journal of the No.31 October 2004 EDITOR Stephen Connock RVW (see address below) Society We are TEN – In this issue... and still growing! G What RVW means to me Testimonials by sixteen The RVW Society celebrated its 10th anniversary this July – just as we signed up our 1000 th new members member to mark a decade of growth and achievement. When John Bishop (still much missed), Robin Barber and I (Stephen Connock) came together to form the Society our aim was to widen from page 4 appreciation of RVW’s music, particularly through recordings of neglected but high quality music. Looking back, we feel proud of what we have achieved. G 49th Parallel World premieres Through our involvement with Richard Hickox, and Chandos, we have stimulated many fine world by Richard Young premiere recordings, including The Poisoned Kiss, A Cotswold Romance, Norfolk Rhapsody No.2, page 14 The Death of Tintagiles and the original version of A London Symphony. Our work on The Poisoned Kiss represents a special contribution as we worked closely with Ursula Vaughan Williams on shaping the libretto for the recording. And what beautiful music there is! G Index to Journals 11-29 Medal of Honour The Trustees sought to mark our Tenth Anniversary in a special way and decided to award an International Medal of Honour to people who have made a remarkable contribution to RVW’s music. The first such Award was given to Richard Hickox during the concert in Gloucester and more .
    [Show full text]
  • Postmaster and the Merton Record 2019
    Postmaster & The Merton Record 2019 Merton College Oxford OX1 4JD Telephone +44 (0)1865 276310 www.merton.ox.ac.uk Contents College News Edited by Timothy Foot (2011), Claire Spence-Parsons, Dr Duncan From the Acting Warden......................................................................4 Barker and Philippa Logan. JCR News .................................................................................................6 Front cover image MCR News ...............................................................................................8 St Alban’s Quad from the JCR, during the Merton Merton Sport ........................................................................................10 Society Garden Party 2019. Photograph by John Cairns. Hockey, Rugby, Tennis, Men’s Rowing, Women’s Rowing, Athletics, Cricket, Sports Overview, Blues & Haigh Awards Additional images (unless credited) 4: Ian Wallman Clubs & Societies ................................................................................22 8, 33: Valerian Chen (2016) Halsbury Society, History Society, Roger Bacon Society, 10, 13, 36, 37, 40, 86, 95, 116: John Cairns (www. Neave Society, Christian Union, Bodley Club, Mathematics Society, johncairns.co.uk) Tinbergen Society 12: Callum Schafer (Mansfield, 2017) 14, 15: Maria Salaru (St Antony’s, 2011) Interdisciplinary Groups ....................................................................32 16, 22, 23, 24, 80: Joseph Rhee (2018) Ockham Lectures, History of the Book Group 28, 32, 99, 103, 104, 108, 109: Timothy Foot
    [Show full text]
  • John-Book-Text-Current-1.Pdf
    Untitled. [John Slater]. John Slater, postcard with collage, William Dobell, Dame Mary Gilmore, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 10.5 x 14.9 cm, modified by John Slater, Collection of Richard Peterson. This postcard was made by John as a wittily self-deprecating collage, and posted by him from London to Richard in Melbourne, on 16 July 1996. Quite Possibly So… John Gilmour Slater. A Life 35,468 words, plus the 18,228 words of the 7 appendices in another file, total: 52,696 words. Last amended: 8 November 2014. Split this file Richard Peterson Contents Quite Possibly So… John Gilmour Slater. A Life. Appendix 1: Sir Charles Wilson, Obituary Appendix 2: The Inspectorate in Victoria Appendix 3: Concerts, Opera and Theatre that John attended: 1943-2010 [Only concerts so far, Opera and Theatre are held, but need extensive editing] Appendix 4: Sir John Summerson on Bumpus Appendix 5: Bibliography: Dr John Slater [Needs to include the book reviews] Appendix 6: Distribution Appendix 7: Major amendments and additions since hard copy publication Acknowledgement Warm thanks to Roger Hennessy for his generous contribution. Introit John’s1 hoary historiographical aphorism, about maintaining conclusions with doubt,2 has now evolved into his frequent response to the fragmentary observations from which what follows grew. It’s clear that the longer he’s around, the more that certainty evades him, and all he’s prepared to offer is ‘quite possibly so…’ So, in that inquisitive spirit, this material remains defiantly provisional. Six days after the notorious Shanghai massacre in which Chiang Kai-shek purged the Communists from the Kuomintang, ordering over a thousand to be arrested, 300 to be officially executed and caused another 5,000 to go missing; and just two days after the birth in his parents' home in the village of Marktl am Inn, Bavaria, of Joseph Ratzinger who later became Pope Benedict XVI, John was born on 18 April 1927, in Upper Heath, Hampstead, in London.3 1 Dr John Slater, BA (Oxon), Dip Ed (Oxon), MA (London), D Phil (Exeter), FHA.
    [Show full text]
  • THE ART of CARLOS KLEIBER Carolyn Watson Thesis Submitted In
    GESTURE AS COMMUNICATION: THE ART OF CARLOS KLEIBER Carolyn Watson Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Conservatorium of Music University of Sydney May 2012 Statement of Originality I declare that the research presented here is my own original work and has not been submitted to any other institution for the award of a degree. Signed: Carolyn Watson Date: ii Abstract This thesis focuses on the art of orchestral conducting and in particular, the gestural language used by conductors. Aspects such as body posture and movement, eye contact, facial expressions and manual conducting gestures will be considered. These nonverbal forms of expression are the means a conductor uses to communicate with players. Manual conducting gestures are used to show fundamental technical information relating to tempo, dynamics and cues, as well as demonstrating to a degree, musical expression and conveying an interpretation of the musical work. Body posture can communicate authority, leadership, confidence and inspiration. Furthermore, physical gestures such as facial expressions can express a conductor’s mood and demeanour, as well as the emotional content of the music. Orchestral conducting is thus a complex and multifarious art, at the core of which is gesture. These physical facets of conducting will be examined by way of a case study. The conductor chosen as the centrepiece of this study is Austrian conductor, Carlos Kleiber (1930-2004). Hailed by many as the greatest conductor of all time1, Kleiber was a perfectionist with unscrupulously high standards who enjoyed a career with some of the world’s finest orchestras and opera companies including the Vienna Philharmonic, La Scala, Covent Garden, the Met and the Chicago Symphony.
    [Show full text]