An Interpretative Analysis of the Capriccio in B Flat Major
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AN INTERPRETATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE CAPRICCIO IN B FLAT MAJOR, BWV 992, BY J. S. BACH, WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO COMPARATIVE INTERPRETATIONS ON THE CLAVICHORD, HARPSICHORD AND PIANO by STEPHANUS JACOBUS VANZYL MULLER submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF MUSICOLOGY in the DEPARTMENT OF MUSICOLOGY at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR D. G. GELDENHUYS NOVEMBER 1997 An Interpretative Analysis of the Capriccio in B flat major, BWV 992, by J. S. Bach, with specific reference to Comparative Interpretations on the Clavichord, Harpsichord and Piano. Summary: The hypothesis of this study entails the formulation of interpretative solutions for J. S. Bach's Capriccio in B flat major. The "Interpretative Analysis" mentioned in the title, strives to provide a synthesis in which the cognitive understanding of the music can contribute to a more informed aesthetic interpretation of the music. In the ensuing study this objective is realised by examining the origin of the work and the sources from which it was handed down, the style in which the Capriccio was composed and conceived, the performance practices prevalent in the early eighteenth century and the applicability thereof to the music of J. S. Bach, the structure of the Capriccio, and lastly the different instruments on which the Capriccio can be performed and the impact which this choice has on any performance thereof Key Terms: J. S. Bach; Historical Performance Practice; Keyboard Music; Keyboard Interpretation; Analysis; Capriccio; BWV 992; Clavichord; Harpsichord; Piano; Music Aesthetics; Baroque Music Geldelike bystand gelewer deur die Sentrum vir Wetenskapontwikkeling (RGN, Suid- Afrika) vir hierdie navorsing word hiermee erken. Menings uitgespreek en gevolgtrekkings waartoe geraak is, is die van die auteur en moet nie noodwendig aan die Sentrum vir Wetenskapsontwikkeling toegeskryf word nie. Financial assistance provided by the Centre for Science Development (HSRC, South Africa) for this research is herewith acknowledged Opinions held and conclusions reached do not reflect the views of the Centre for Science Development. UN IS A 786.21894092 BACH MULL 111111111111111 0001707611 Hierdie verhandeling is moontlik gemaak deur die hulp en bystand van verskeie persone en organisasies. Ek wil my dank betuig aan die Universiteite van Durham, Cambridge en Oxford in Enge/and vir hul goedgunstige toestemming vir die benutting van hul fasiliteite. My dank aan die volgende persone: My studieleier, Prof D. G. Geldenhuys, vir leiding en volgehoue optimisme ondanks my wankelrige aanvangspogings. Frik Nothling, wat benewens gereelde raad en bemoediging, ook sy eie knap program onder verdere druk moes plaas om al die bindwerk en inhandiging namens my in Suid-Afrika te behartig. My vrou, Elmi, wat die pot in Enge/and aan die kook moes hou en wie se lie/de, geloof en ondersteuning met hierdie blaaie vervleg in die pad wat sy met my geloop het deur tye van moeisame vordering en twyfel. Aan alma! in Suid-Afrika en Enge/and wat ons so gereeld in hul gebede aan ons Hemelse Vader opgedra het, baie dankie. Soli Deo Gloria! This dissertation was made possible through the help and involvement of many different people and organizations. I should like to thank the Universities of Durham, Cambridge and Oxford in England for their generosity in allowing me to use their facilities. I am deeply indebted to the following people: My supervisor, Prof D. G. Geldenhuys, who remained optimistic in the face of my initial struggles. Frik Nothling, for his frequent advice and encouragement, but also for his willingness to sacrifice time in an already hectic schedule by arranging the binding and submission of the dissertation in South Africa. My wife, Elmi, who has earned our keep in England and without whose love, courage and support not one of the following pages could have been written. She has journeyed with me in my intellectual explorations and has been my inspiration in tortuous times of difficult progress and self-doubt. To all those in South Africa and England who prayedfor us, thank you. Soli Deo Gloria! CONTENTS Page CHAPTER 1 Introduction.............................................................................. 1 CHAPTER 2 Historical Background............................................................. 6 2.1 Sources...................................................................................... 6 2.2 Chronology of the Capriccio in B flat major................................ 17 2.3 Programmatic Content................................................................ 20 CHAPTER 3 An Appraisal of Current Musicological Positions on Different Aspects of Performance Practice in the Music of J. S. Bach ...................................... ~················································ 25 3.1 Affekt ......................................................................................... 27 3.2 Articulation ................................................................................. 32 3.3 Dynamics ................................................................................... .. 39 3.4 Ornamentation ............................................................................ 45 Ornamental Function and Musical Structure ................................ 47 3.4.1 The Appogiatura ......................................................................... 49 3.4.2 The Arpeggio .............................................................................. 51 3.4.3 The Mordent. .............................................................................. 53 3.4.4 The Slide .................................................................................... 54 3.4.5 The Trill ..................................................................................... 56 3.5 Rhythm ....................................................................................... 60 3.6 Tempo ........................................................................................ 66 Analytical Interpretation of the Capriccio in B flat major... :.. 70 4.1 Movement 1................................................................................ 72 4.1.1 General Structural Analysis ......................................................... 72 4.1.2 Affekt ......................................................................................... 73 4.1.3 Ornamentation ............................................................................ 77 The Vorschlag ............................................................................ 77 The Arpeggio ............................................................................. 78 The Mordent. ............................................................................. 79 The Slide .................................................................................... 80 The Trill ...................................................................................... 81 4.1.4 Rhythm ....................................................................................... 83 4.1.5 Tempo ........................................................................................ 86 4.2 Movement2 ................................................................................ 87 4.2.1 General Structural Analysis ......................................................... 87 4.2.2 Affekt ......................................................................................... 88 4.2.3 Ornamentation............................................................................. 92 The Vorschlag............................................................................. 92 The Arpeggio............................................................................... 93 The Mordent................................................................................ 95 The Trill....................................................................................... 96 4.2.4 Rhythm........................................................................................ 96 4.2.5 Tempo......................................................................................... 97 4.3 Movement 3................................................................................. 98 4. 3. 1 General Structural Analysis.......................................................... 98 4.3.2 Affekt.......................................................................................... 101 4.3.3 Ornamentation .......................................................................... ·... 103 4.3.4 Rhythm........................................................................................ 106 4.3.5 Tempo......................................................................................... 108 4.4 Movement 4................................................................................. 109 4.4.1 General Structural Analysis.......................................................... 109 4.4.2 · Affekt..... ... ... .. .. .. .... .. .... .. .. .. .. .. ... ... .. .. 112 4.4.3 Ornamentation............................................................................. 112 4.4.4 Rhythm........................................................................................ 114 4.4.5 Tempo......................................................................................... 116 4.5 Movement 5................................................................................. 117 4. 5. 1 General Structural Analysis.........................................................