This post was first published by Oxford University Press:
http://blog.oup.com/2016/03/affekt-the-foundational-pillar-in-eighteenth-century-music/
How does one capture the Classical style
sound aesthetic when approaching performance of eighteenth century repertoire
on the modern piano? Although it is
important to know of the period instruments and their associated physical sound
qualities, knowing how period musicians approached their art emotionally and
intellectually will provide even deeper insight into discovering how to
recreate the sound aesthetic. And in
doing so, we turn to affekt, probably
the single most influencing factor upon which the eighteenth century musical
experience is built. Every esteemed
treatise from the eighteenth century impresses upon the reader the immense
importance of understanding the influence of affekt on playing. Whether
it was Leopold Mozart in his Violinschule,
Türk in his Klavierschule, Kirnberger in his The Art of Strict Musical Composition,
or Quantz in his On Playing the Flute,
affekt is at the crux of this
music-making matter.
Affekt is the foundational pillar for
eighteenth century style. It is the ability of music to stir emotions and was
described in a variety of ways, including character, affections, expression,
affect, and emotion. It was achieved through attention to detail and proper
execution. And done in good taste, which implies a deep understanding of proper
practices of the time.
All manner
of composition and performing, from formal structure down to phrasing and
execution of individual notes had the understanding of affekt at its foundation. Nearly every notational and performance
decision was based on affekt –
everything from formal structure to note values, dynamics to articulation, as Türk instructs.
Whoever performs a composition so
that its inherent affect (character) is expressed (made perceptible) to the
utmost even in every single passage, and that the tones become, so to speak, a
language of feelings, of him one says that he has a good execution. Good
execution, therefore, is the most important, yet at the same time the most
difficult aspect of music making.
---Daniel Gottlob Türk, Klavierschule (1789). Translated by Raymond H. Haggh.
Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press (1982), 321.
Looking to
specifics in eighteenth-century practice, meter decisions have a strong
influence on affekt. Baroque dances
and their varying affekt are expressed
through the intentional use of specific meters. The time signature alone also
describes the weight of a piece: a two
in the denominator indicates a heavier weight or execution, a four in the
denominator calls for a lighter weight and an eight in the denominator indicates
an execution that is lighter yet. A textbook example of this concept is found
in Sonatina in C Major, Op. 36, no. 1 by Muzio Clementi.
Likewise,
specific note values project affekt.
A passage primarily containing half notes is associated with a heavier sound
and affekt, a quarter note passage is
lighter, and a passage full of eighth notes is lighter yet. This is also
evidenced in the Clementi Sonatina.
The chosen
key center of each composition is particularly married to an associated affekt. Furthermore, the tuning system
(mean tone tuning) of the period makes the affekt
of a given key even more marked. Three varying examples from
eighteenth-century repertoire bear witness to and support this idea.
- The key of C major is associated with simplicity, joy, and purity as is evidenced in Sonatina in C Major, op. 36, no. 1 by Clementi
- The key of F# minor is associated with melancholy, gloom, and discontentment as can be heard in Prussian Sonata for Piano, Wq 48, no. 6 by C. P. E. Bach.
- The key of A major is associated with playfulness, jesting, and gaiety as is found in Sonata in A Major, op. 2, no. 2 by Beethoven.
Understanding
the intentionality of eighteenth-century composers’ choices allows the modern
pianist the opportunity to develop a new perspective regarding Classical Era
repertoire. Look at a new piece of music from the Classical Era (to avoid
pre-conceived notions). Using eighteenth
century conceptual understanding, experiment with various approaches to
incorporate the elements into the fabric of the piece with an end goal of
expressing affekt.
- Analyze the form of the piece. What is the musical concept? Is this a minuet, a waltz, or a march?
- Examine the meter. Based on the time signature should the piece be heavy and majestic or light and frivolous?
- Examine the chosen note values to determine the described affekt.
- Determine the key centers in the piece. What affekt clue is the composer providing from these key centers?
- Much of eighteenth-century scoring leaves room for individual input that allows for changes or variations in articulation, rhythmic and dynamic grouping, pedaling, textural balance, and use of agogics to create the desired affekt. Use of Urtext editions is crucial to achieve this goal.
