2.G.2. Style-Oriented Improvisation and Music Theory Bert Mooiman - 28 juin 2017, 11h30-12h00, salle 3203

Sommaire

Le 28 juin 2017
de 11h30 à 12h00

Le Patio (université de Strasbourg)
22 rue René Descartes, 67000 Strasbourg
salle 3203

Séance - Improvisation and Style

Pré-acte / Acte

Auteur : Bert Mooiman

     During the past three decennia, musical improvisation has attracted a renewed interest, not only from the fields of musical performance and pedagogy, but also of cognitive science, musicology and music philosophy. Music theory so far has been less keen to embrace improvisation: its ephemeral character makes it a problematic subject of analytical studies, whereas conversely a normative approach to music theory (as it often occurs in conservatoires) is of limited use for an improviser. Nevertheless, the fact that improvisation by nature deals with music-as-event challenges music theory in an interesting way. Music theory as traditionally practised has a strong tendency to reification because of its dependence on concepts – a phenomenon that affects its usefulness (and consequently its popularity) as a conservatoire subject. This paper aims to sketch possibilities of a non-reified music theory by means of stylistically oriented improvisation. Regarding music as a language, improvising in (or: inspired by) musical styles from the past for the performer means actively appropriating these musical languages, instead of merely knowing them passively. This concerns not only improvised ‘new’ music, but also – importantly – improvisation within the performance of a score. Drawing on the idea of loci communes, ‘commonplaces’ in both composed and improvised music, it will be shown that especially the close resemblance of some gestural loci to familiar music theoretical concepts challenges music theory. It will be argued that a pre-theoretical understanding of musical events is crucial – and that improvisation might be helpful here.

Musées de la Ville de Strasbourg
Opéra National du Rhin
Conservatoire de Strasbourg
CDMC