National dance and folk elements in Argentine cello compositions

摘要

This research project focuses on the national dance and folk elements of Argentineudcompositions for cello and piano and for solo cello. Research has been conducted throughudthe study and performance of these works with the aim of developing musicaludinterpretation skills specific to the repertoire and improving general performance expertise.udThe outcomes of this research are a series of recorded performances and an accompanyingudexegesis that contextualises these performances.udThe scope of the project was limited to 138 musical scores of Argentine cello compositionsuddating from 1898 to 2005. The research culminated in four major recitals which includedudperformances of works by Argentina's most well-known composers, Alberto Ginastera andudAstor Piazzolla. These recitals also included compositions by other established Argentineudcomposers such as Julian Aguirre, Constantino Gaito, Carlos Guastavino, Juan Jose Castro,udWashington Castro, Luis Gianneo and Jose Bragato, and introduced new works byudAlejandro Iglesias Rossi, Juan Maria Solare, Roberto Segret, Valdo Sciammarella andudRoque de Pedro. Recordings of these concerts are appended to the exegesis. The exegesisudincludes a survey of literature and background information on the musical heritage ofudArgentina and the history of nationalism in Argentine art music. This backgroundudinformation is followed by the musical analysis of the national dance and folk elementsudfound in the selected Argentine cello repertoire.udA significant proportion of the works analysed show evidence of musical elements fromudtango and indigenous and Creole folk music from Argentina and the majority of theseudelements have been incorporated with direct nationalistic intent. Instrumental techniques assimilated from folk and tango performance are demonstrated in the performances of thisudrepertoire and discussed in the exegesis.