A performance guide for selected works for piano by Henry Cowell

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Date
2013
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Publisher
University of Alabama Libraries
Abstract

The four works selected incorporate a number of the innovations that Henry Cowell brought to writing for the piano. The chord clusters of The Tides of Manaunaun and Tiger and the direct manipulation of the strings (strumming with the fleshy part of the finger or with the nail, scraping, plucking) in Aeolian Harp and The Banshee are just two of the techniques that forced Cowell to develop new notational symbols and made it necessary that he accompany these with detailed explanations and performance instructions. Cowell's own variations from the written score in his recordings have set an example for other performers to take liberties in their performances of these pieces. The performance guide consists of one chapter for each work. Each chapter includes a brief history of the inspiration and background of the piece, offers strategies for the practical handling of physical difficulties encountered in producing sounds in unconventional ways (including those caused by differences in the construction of pianos), and deals with deciphering the notational complexities. A presentation of suggestions and considerations for preparing these pieces for performance is included, and each chapter concludes with a comparison of selected available recordings showing the range of interpretations given by artists including Cowell, and comments on how closely Cowell's own interpretations have colored those of others.

Description
Electronic Thesis or Dissertation
Keywords
Music, Performing arts
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