A violin recital from a performer’s perspective

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to provide an insight on how the author prepares himself for a recital. The work discusses technical issues that are considered during practice, together with ways of approaching a new piece and how to deal with difficult passages. Literature from the early violin schools up to the twentieth century writings on violin playing are used as a reference for practicing and performing in the correct style. The first chapter is about the violin in the Baroque period. The second chapter is about ways of performing music from the Classical period. The third and fourth chapters are about the Romantic style and the virtuosity of violin-playing that evolved through time. Music from the twentiethcentury is discussed in the last chapter. Each chapter also includes a detailed technical analysis of how the author practises a certain piece from each particular period. Phrasing, technical aspects, bowings, sound projection for different halls and psychological preparation for a performance are the things discussed here. The pieces are to be performed in June, 2017 for the final recital as an undergraduate music student at the University of Malta.