Le 29 juin 2017
de 11h30 à 12h00
Le Patio (université de Strasbourg)
22 rue René Descartes, 67000 Strasbourg
salle 3208
Séance - Stylistic Features of Jazz
Pré-acte / Acte
Auteur : Walther Stuhlmacher
It is the aim of this paper to shed some light on compositional strategies by describing stylistic ideosyncrasies and uncovering the use of archetypal ‘models’ (in the sense of ‘schemata’ or ‘Satzmodelle’) in a number of lyrical jazz compositions by Brad Mehldau like “Lament for Linus” and “Unrequited”. Among the stylistic features noted are appoggiaturas and suspensions in the form of sighing motifs (Seufzermotive) of various kinds, chord progressions derived from archetypal bass-line figures like the lament bass, and modulations to third-related tonalities. These features are reminiscent of the romantic piano compositions of Chopin, Schumann and Brahms. On the assumption that many of these compositions can be understood as the result of improvisational adventures, the role of the adopted models can be described as that of playing rules on various levels, structuring the compositional process. The research extends ‘traditional’ schema and Satzmodell analysis to the jazz repertoire. As a consequence, the results of the research endorse the relevance of the ‘rediscovered’ partimento tradition for the teaching of jazz theory.
