Movement trajectories in the performance of piano extended techniques

Author(s)

Vânia Eger Pontes

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Artes
• Defense date: 2018-02-22

Examining board members

Jônatas Manzolli; Alexandre Zamith Almeida; Jussara Corrêa Miller; Li Min Li; Maria Bernardete Castelan Povoas

• Advisor: Jônatas Manzolli; Marcelo Mortensen Wanderley

Abstract

Extended Piano techniques (EPT) such as glissando, plucking and other ways of directly handling the piano strings, impel the pianist to move the trunk towards the piano, expand its space of action and even stand up to reach inside of the piano with the upper limbs. The use of extended techniques in the twentieth century impacted even in the definition of what a pianistic work is (Kruja, 2004). This research investigates the relevance of body actions in the process of performing EPT by improving body movement repertoire and equilibrium strategies in order to enhance the control of movement in the space during performance. Focusing on twentieth-century piano repertoire, qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out on musician-performing actions based on empirical experience provided by the author¿s extended experience with EPT. In the qualitative approach, the author studied how the Klauss Vianna somatic education technique can be applied to the exploration and improvement of the performance of EPT by improving her own movement repertoire and in the same manner, can be applied to other performers. This aspect was developed during the preparation of the recital-lecture "Trajetórias: do Corpo na ação pianística" that took place at the University of Campinas in 2013. In the quantitative approach, the analysis of the author¿s movements while performing extended techniques was carried out. Using a high-definition motion capture system (MOCAP), graphic trajectories were generated from the execution of excerpts of pieces 2 and 4 of George Crumb's "A Little Suite for Christmas, A.D. 1979". Each excerpt was performed under two different conditions concerning the starting body position. The data collected during these sessions were analyzed using kinematic techniques, mainly the module of the three-dimensional acceleration of anatomical body points determined according to the body preparation studies developed by the author in the qualitative part of this work. Results show that the balance in movement organization and in posture stabilization was improved in performances with the incline bench or standing up, compared to the traditional situation where the performer is seated with the bench positioned horizontally.The main contribution of this thesis is the detailed study of EPT performance focusing the movement's micro-stabilities through an empirical analysis combining qualitative and quantitative perspectives in order to develop a novel integrative bodily approach in the pianist's preparation called Expanded Pianistic Action (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/04140-1 - A Little Suite For Christmas, A.D.1979 for solo piano by George Crumb: a performance designed after Laban's system.
• Grantee: Vânia Eger Pontes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate