Preparatory ACTS in the performance of Schoenberguiana, by Marcelo Rauta

learning and teaching a four-voice serial fugue

Abstract

The process of preparing a musical performance demands skills to establish dialogues that surpass the technical proficiency in musical performance. It requires knowledge of musicology, (self)application of music pedagogy, capacity to connect Music and related areas, aiming the construction of meaning in the musical interpretation. A performance is a product, although the craftsmanship of the interpreter is mostly procedural. It can be featured as a sum of several ACTS that have its climax during the performance itself. However. its content sometimes is not sufficiently exposed and theorized. This paper presents some of those preparatory acts of a pianist scheduled to perform a musical piece. What are the actions of this musician from the interstice between deciding to learn a piece of music and performing it publically? Thoughts on four of those dimensions have been discussed in this paper, represented by the anagram ACTS, aiming to illuminate the question and propose strategies of practice and preparation of musical works for public performance.