Program-building : an investigation of the design of graduate and artist piano recitals

Abstract

This study was conducted to ascertain and report attitudes of faculty-artist piano teachers at NASM-accredited music units with graduate programs concerning the diverse aspects of designing graduate student and artist piano recitals. A second objective was to compare and contrast the principles which govern program-building practices of graduate and artist piano recitals.The study consists of five chapters. Chapter 1 presents background information and the purpose, delimitations, and significance of the study. Chapter 2, a review of related literature, reveals that discontent toward program-building practices began as early as the middle of this century.Chapter 3 delineates the methods and procedures employed to collect the data. Responses collected from the questionnaire are reported in Chapter 4. Four recital types--graduate recitals, faculty-artist recitals, artist recitals in major cultural centers, and artist recitals in outlying areas are examined in terms of program length, format, content, and balance. Chapter 5 provides a summary of the study as well as comparisons and conclusions.It was found that graduate student and artist recitals enjoy few program-design commonalities. Analysis of the data revealed that only four commonalities were shared by all four recital groups: 1) Consider the respective moods of the repertory "Almost Always" or "Often" when determining the construction of a program, 2) a program's format should be chronological "Sometimes," 3) the "First Half" of a recital should be longest, and 4) lengthy works may be placed in "Both Halves" of a program.Respondents gave "Performer's Security" top priority when selecting the opening work for all recital types. Four criteria considered very important when selecting closing works were: 1) Mood, 2) Intensity, 3) Effectiveness, and 4) Performer's Security.Challenging the notion that there is one correct way to design a recital, participants offered a variety of strategies and formats. Finally, lists of suggested opening and closing works, works generally considered difficult for audiences and works composed post-1950 which have found favor with audiences are appended to the study.