This is really a very interesting thread! I memorize pieces for solo performance, and sight read (duo, or whatever) ensemble pieces. I find that memorization actually gives me much more freedom in interpretation, from one performance to the next. I memorize the notes, not the way I play them. The guitar repertoire is as vast as that of the lute; it's not like we have to just learn a few "masterpieces" and then begin our world tours. For the audience, I think concerts are like "theatre". To sit down and play with nothing between you and them but your instrument, probably seems a bit magical. Imagine going to a production of Shakespeare, or an opera, and having the cast walk out with notebooks to recite their lines from, or remind them of the lyrics...
James > James, Very well said. Michael Thames www.ThamesClassicalGuitars.com ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <lute@cs.dartmouth.edu> Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 12:04 AM Subject: Re: memorization > This is really a very interesting thread! I memorize pieces for solo > performance, and sight read (duo, or whatever) ensemble pieces. I find that > memorization actually gives me much more freedom in interpretation, from one > performance to the next. I memorize the notes, not the way I play them. The guitar > repertoire is as vast as that of the lute; it's not like we have to just learn > a few "masterpieces" and then begin our world tours. For the audience, I > think concerts are like "theatre". To sit down and play with nothing between you > and them but your instrument, probably seems a bit magical. Imagine going to > a production of Shakespeare, or an opera, and having the cast walk out with > notebooks to recite their lines from, or remind them of the lyrics... > > James > > -- > > To get on or off this list see list information at > http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html >
