In Search of A Lost Language: Performing in Early-Recorded Style in Viola and String Quartet Repertoires (October 2019) by Emlyn Stam

Early recordings made between the 1880s and mid-1930s reveal a wide gap between the performance practices of a century ago and those of today. Though many contemporary musicians often claim fidelity to composers’ intentions, they clearly prefer to avoid the risks associated with playing in ways familiar to the very composers to whom they pledge fidelity. Given this state of affairs, I, Emlyn Stam, suggest a re-thinking of the concept of Werktreue, predicated upon the notion that 19th-century performers enacted their fidelity to works and composers by creating altered and highly personalized versions of the detail, structure and time of composers’ works. My own performances aim to enact this performer-centred Werktreue in order circumvent the frequently restrictive nature of modern performance practices while closing the gap between these practices and those heard on early recordings of viola solo, viola/piano and string quartet repertoires. The question my work engages with is: how might viola and string quartet playing in the performer-centered, moment-to-moment and communicative style heard on early recordings be brought about today? In order to achieve this aim, the study of relevant literatures on early-recorded style is combined with historical research and the detailed analysis and ‘all-in’ copying of early recordings.

Emlyn Stam

Dissertation at the Leiden University Repository:

In Search of A Lost Language: Performing in Early-Recorded Style in Viola and String Quartet Repertoires

Emlyn Stam - Artistic Material; a selection of the recorded portfolio

Performers: Emlyn Stam, viola; Shuann Chai, piano; Joan Berkhemer, violin; Rada Ovcharova, violin; Willem Stam, cello. Producer/Sound Engineer: Geoffrey Miles.

Note: All of the recordings can be heard in two versions: a) lo-fi microphone only and b) full frequency range mix of lo-fi microphone with two DPA 46D microphones

Recording 5.4.1. Franz Schubert: Du Bist die Ruh Op. 59 no. 3 (mono)

Recorded April 15 -16, 2018, Andriessen Vleugels, Haarlem. Piano: Bechstein, 1890.

Recording 5.4.1. Franz Schubert: Du Bist die Ruh Op. 59 no. 3

Recorded April 15 -16, 2018, Andriessen Vleugels, Haarlem. Piano: Bechstein, 1890.

Recording 5.4.3. Nicolas Gervasio: Feuilles de Printemps, Bluette

Recorded May 12 -13, 2018, Norwegian Radio, Studio 3, Oslo. Piano: Schimmel.

Recording 5.4.3. Nicolas Gervasio: Feuilles de Printemps, Bluette (mono)

Recorded May 12 -13, 2018, Norwegian Radio, Studio 3, Oslo. Piano: Schimmel.

Recording 5.4.5. Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita no. 2, BWV 1004, V Chaconne (mono)

Recorded April 15 -16, 2018, Andriessen Vleugels, Haarlem. Piano: Bechstein, 1890.

Recording 5.4.5 Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita no. 2, BWV 1004, V Chaconne

Recorded April 15 -16, 2018, Andriessen Vleugels, Haarlem. Piano: Bechstein, 1890.

Recording 5.4.a14. Georges Enescu: Piece de Concert

Recorded May 12 -13, 2018, Norwegian Radio, Studio 3, Oslo. Piano: Schimmel.

Recording 5.4.a14. Georges Enescu: Piece de Concert (mono)

Recorded May 12 -13, 2018, Norwegian Radio, Studio 3, Oslo. Piano: Schimmel.

Recording 5.4.a20. Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 127, I Maestoso, Allegro

Recorded June 6-7, 2018, Leuvensestraat, Den Haag.

Recording 5.4.a20. Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 127, I Maestoso, Allegro (mono)

Recorded June 6-7, 2018, Leuvensestraat, Den Haag.

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Emlyn Stam - In Search of A Lost Language: Performing in Early-Recorded Style in Viola and String Quartet Repertoires (October 2019) - 2023