This paper aims to analyze and discuss baroque performance entitled Vivaldi Winter 1 er Movement by Nigel Kennedy- written by Vivaldi for an all poor girl performance group that had to perform in live events to be married off. The author reacts to Nigel's performance and provides an opinion in regards to the main intention of the music-performed by poor girls in medieval ages to be married off. Further, the author aims to explain different styles (texture, form, dynamics, and tempo) employed to express the situation of the girls.
Performance Analysis
In the performance, Nigel's team successfully portrayed the winter feeling in many ways. Firstly, the production employed music dynamics by varying the pitch throughout the performance. Dynamics brings in the suspense part and enables listeners to think and feel the music. Secondly, the Nigel correctly utilized music texture to better pass the message (Keller 206). Music texture refers to the number of components used in a piece of art at any given moment. Throughout the performance, Nigel varied the music texture, at one point playing monophonic and at some point, playing polyphonic texture. For example, in the beginning, few instruments are played but gradually more and more tools and forms and employed. The variation helps glue listeners more and stress the message. At the start of the performance- tempo is slow, however as it progresses it gradually gains momentum to show the intensity of the matter at hand.
Reaction and Conclusion
Nigel Kennedy's performance is an excellent masterpiece considering how well employed the techniques of music performance to pass the ultimate message. However, the intention of the original production by the orphaned ladies from medieval ages might have been good at that time but did not serve the greater good. For instance, all the effort Vivaldi put on training the ladies went to waste after they were married off. Also, if the ladies if left to continue performing would have changed the society as a whole than being left to train their children. The ladies would have nurtured a new age of music performance and change societal view about women and minority groups. In my opinion, the aim for performance for the ladies did not achieve the individual aspirations of the ladies but rather that of the society.
Works Cited
Keller, Peter E. "Mental imagery in music performance: underlying mechanisms and potential benefits." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1252.1 (2012): 206-213.
Carlos, Profe. “Nigel Kennedy -Vivaldi winter 1er mov.” YouTube, uploaded by Carlos Profe, 15 May 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56_E68yN5MI
