Expanding horizons – Improvisational explorations of 20th-century classical music by Peter Knudsen

"Expanding horizons" is an Artistic research project carried out between 2021 (August) and 2024 (November) at NTNU, Trondheim. The objectives were to contribute to knowledge on how different kinds of departure points can be useful for musicians when approaching 20th-century Western classical music through improvisation, an understanding of how one can navigate and negotiate the musical language of this repertoire, and insights into how the tension between different performance values can be navigated in this process. The research questions were: When applying improvisation to works of 20th-century classical music, 1. What role does the choice and preparation of musical representations play? 2. How can we navigate and negotiate musical structures such as melody, harmony and form? 3. How can we navigate the tension between fidelity to the work and creative expression? Based on selected pieces from this repertoire and practical explorations together with participating musicians, various approaches to creating improvisational frameworks were then explored. These included a wide range of scores, including lead sheets and indeterminate notation, as well as ear-based methods. From the perspective of integrating improvisation into the performances, approaches such as repeating elements, working with layers, creating transitions, and introducing open sections were examined. A key point was to use melodic material as a way of building strong connections with the source material, rather than relying on harmonic representations of the music. In terms of balancing respect for the original work with creative freedom, a “healthy dose of disrespect” pervaded much of the explorations, allowing deviations from the originals when they were musically justified. Throughout the work processes, an idea of focal points emerged, as aspects to focus on when reworking a classical work into an improvisational version. These focal points included the score, historical and performative contexts, expressive qualities, and the improviser’s personal voice.

About the exposition

This exposition serves as the critical reflection for the artistic research project ”Expanding horizons – improvisational explorations of 20th-century classical music”, a PhD project at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) carried out between 2021 (August) and 2024 (November). It can be read like an online book, with twelve different chapters following an overarching IMRAD structure; Introduction (1-4), Method (5-7), Results (8-11), and Discussion (12). It can also be approached more freely, as a reference for musicians interested in methods, score types, improvisational approaches, or other aspects related to the project's topic. Following the overarching theme, the reader doesn’t have to adhere to one particular way of relating to the text.

Acknowledgements

There is a long list of people who have contributed to the realization of this PhD project. A special thanks goes to my main supervisor, Michael Duch, for believing in the project from the very beginning and for offering your unwavering support, encouragement, inspiration, musical knowledge and new perspectives throughout the project. I would also like to thank my co-supervisors, Eirik Hegdal, Klas Nevrin and Mattias Solli, for your invaluable input, new perspectives, and critical questions at important stages of the PhD work. I also wish to acknowledge the assessment committee, Professors Michael Kahr, Eivind Buene, and Tone Åse, for their valuable suggestions on how to enhance the quality of this work.

To all the musicians who participated in the project, David, Svante, Terese, Krister, Tuva, Amund, Jenny, Daniel, Tobias, Rubem, Deodato, Eirik, Michael, Tor, Elin, Karin, Mattias and Peter; it is thanks to your musical expertise, knowledge and dedication that this project has been realized, for which I am deeply grateful. This gratitude also extends to the respondents who contributed their valuable time and knowledge, the people who participated in the documentation work and all those involved in the production of the albums All in Twilight and Reimaginations. A special thanks goes to Rachel and John, for providing not only photos and a visual framework for this music, but also invaluable support with other aspects related to these releases.

I also would like to show my appreciation to the staff at NTNU, not least at the Department of Music, whose support and assistance have been indispensable in making the project a reality, in addition to providing an artistic environment that is ideal for musical experimentation and creative exchanges. Other important contributors to this environment are my peers in the PhD program, to who I’m grateful for all the stimulating discussions, insights and inspiration along the way, often in combination with well-needed coffee breaks. My colleagues at Örebro University also deserve a mention, for their encouragement, support and patience throughout this journey, not least during the more intense phases of the PhD work.

Last but not least, a big thank you to my family and friends for being there throughout the project. It is thanks to your love, encouragement, and relentless support that I dared to pursue this dream in the first place; thank you all for being a part of this journey.

Peter Knudsen, Stockholm, March 13, 2025.

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Peter Knudsen - Expanding horizons – Improvisational explorations of 20th-century classical music - 2025