The course gives a practical and theoretical introduction to ornamentation and improvisation in music from the 16th and 17th centuries. Knowledge of historical sources that b.la. the textbooks of J,J, Quantz, C.Ph.E. Bach and L. Mozart form the basis for the students' own music performance. The repertoire and curriculum depend on the participants' focus areas. The course is open to all instrumentalists and singers.
Course instructor: Knut Johannessen
Learning objectives
Upon completion of the course, the student is expected to:
- documents knowledge of a selection of historical sources and textbooks from 1600 to 1800
- has an overview of the most common forms of improvisation
- demonstrates elementary knowledge of ornamentation in various styles of music from baroque and classicism
- understand and interpret ornamental signs
- shows elementary skills in embellishing slow movements
Overview
Current topics that will be elucidated through theory and practice:- Methodological approaches to improvisation skills.
- Chord strings, bass passages and melodic phrases used as a starting point for improvisation.
- National styles and how they are expressed through ornamentation.
- Ornament tables of Purcell, Bach, Couperin and others.
Structure
The course is taught with a double lesson each week throughout one semester. The emphasis is on practice, where interaction and solo play with and without an accompanist are at the center. In addition, there is listening, discussion, lectures and student presentations.
Course requirements
Active participation in the course is mandatory. This normally means that absence of more than 20 per cent means that the student does not pass the course.
The student will give one to two short introductions to selected topics during the course.
Final assessment
All coursework requirements must be approved in order for the student to receive final assessment.
The student is assessed in relation to the learning objectives of the course. The final assessment is expressed by pass / fail and is determined by the course instructor on the basis of an individual assessment of the student's academic level through the work on the course.
For reassessment, the same applies as for ordinary assessment.