English arrangements of instrumental music for the keyboard, 1708–1762: method and practice

Guan, Boyang 2023. English arrangements of instrumental music for the keyboard, 1708–1762: method and practice. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

This thesis shares insights into the re-consideration of keyboard arrangements of instrumental music in early eighteenth-century England. It assesses the extent to which these arrangements can be considered as a genre, or a transition of genres (‘genre-flow’) with new and previously unrevealed importance, by analysing both the generic and formal construction of these works, and the idiomatic adaptations during the arranging procedure. It also examines whether there existed a different, if not completely neglected, keyboard school at that time with a different basic touch, and whether the overture in the so-called ‘Handelian-era’ England (precisely, London), should be re-considered as a new genre. The result of such analyses and re-consideration leads to the construction of new repertoire for modern-day keyboardists. The pieces chosen for discussion are drawn from my own PhD graduating recital and demonstrate the great potential of this repertoire. This study also investigates articulation and ornamentation – in both the instrumental originals and the resulting keyboard arrangements – to restore a historical consensus of the common style among idioms and instruments. This is carried out in order to encourage modern-day instrumentalists to re-consider both the concept and the actual practice of their own performances. In relation to this, I naturally draw on my own extensive experience as a performer of this repertoire, including the graduating recital. Finally, this study offers suggestions for both future performance and research of this repertoire, and therefore are of equal benefit to performers and musicologists.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Music
Subjects:	M Music and Books on Music > M Music
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	7 March 2023
Date of Acceptance:	28 February 2023
Last Modified:	07 Mar 2023 15:59
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/157555

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