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In Reply to: RE: Believe me, I read the article - but I wonder if you did posted by Chris from Lafayette on February 22, 2015 at 14:59:42
My basic view of HIP is: In the pre-industrial world, instruments were not as loud or powerful, performance spaces were often much smaller, and ensembles were also often smaller. Those fundamental differences are at the heart of most differences between HI Performance and Modern Performance.
When a tenor sings Nessun dorma at the Metropolitan Opera, he must sing very, very loudly. (The first thing a non-classical music listener notices when they go to their first opera is how loud everyone is singing.) That has a profound impact on vibrato, phrasing, and all other aspects of vocal technique. It even affects tempo and pitch -- notice how people speak, not only louder, but also at a higher pitch and more slowly when they are speaking in a large venue? Also, since the mid-19th century, instruments have generally been redesigned to be played much louder. That has had a major impact on all aspects of instrumental technique.
Good HIP performers are not academics, or not only academics, but musicians who understand a compelling performance is what matters, not rigid adherence to a series of rules about vibrato, which they do use, or anything else. But they are turning back the clock to a quieter, gentler time, without jets and jackhammers, when you could still hear the breeze rustling the leaves. If you are willing to mentally transport yourself to that quieter time, you can appreciate their work. Otherwise, it may all seem a frustrating bore.
I could give many specific examples, but what's the point? It isn't your thing. But it is a legitimate thing.
Follow Ups:
. . . I have to deal with emptying chamber pots, getting a good supply of leeches (for when I get sick!), etc.
I'm all for quieter, gentler times however - but for me, those times are best evoked by music such as Mischa Levitzki's "The Enchanted Nymph":
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