Research Catalogue

an international database for artistic research

• 3. Internal publication Research published in this issue are only for internal circulation within the Royal Conservatoire, The Hague.
• 2. Royal Conservatoire Investigations Royal Conservatoire Investigations
• 1. Master Research Projects All research in KC

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  Seeing Sounds – an Interdisciplinary Performance that Explores the Fascinating Phenomenon of Synesthesia through the medium of self-made graphic scores. (2024) author(s): Kaja Majoor Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  'Seeing Sounds' is an interdisciplinary performance that explores the fascinating phenomenon of synesthesia through the medium of self-made graphic scores. The project, led by the collaborative efforts of a classically trained violinist & illustrator Kaja Majoor and cellist Diederik Smulders, transcends traditional musical boundaries by fusing contemporary music and performance art. The live musical performance, accompanied by visually captivating graphic scores projected on a large screen, invites the audience to immerse themselves in a multi-sensory experience and explore the interfaces between music and art. This research project explores not only synesthesia, but also the potential of graphic scores as tools to visually represent sounds. The primary inspiration for the project is synesthesia, and based on that Kaja created her own graphical scores and music. She aims to showcase not only musical proficiency but also illustrative skills within a performance context.
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  Schumann’s Mignon Lieder: Connections between his musical and literary world (2024) author(s): Saki Matsuoka Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  About this research: This research investigates relations between Schumann’s composition style in the Mignon songs from his Lieder und Gesänge aus Wilhelm Meister op.98a and his view on the feelings of Mignon, one of the characters in ‘Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship’ by Goethe. Three songs, Kennst du das Land?, Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt and Heiss’ mich nicht reden, heiss’ mich schweigen are the focus of this research. Other composers like Beethoven, Schubert, and Wolf also composed songs based on these same poems. This research shows that there are important differences in the way these composers interpret the character and feelings of Mignon. One chapter is devoted to explaining Schumann's view of Mignon’s personality by analysing his pieces in terms of the harmonic language and the melodic line with the texts. This research argues that Schumann emphasises Mignon’s longing and her traumatised personality through his choice of minor tonalities, frequent use of suspensions and chromaticism, making voice and piano equal partners. Subsequently, a comparison with the aforementioned composers is set. A comparison between performances of these songs on a historical instrument and the modern piano is made as well; this experiment aims to look into how the choice of instrument can influence the conveyance of Mignon’s feelings. This chapter includes an analysis of recordings featuring the same pieces performed on both instruments. This exposition presents an analysis of the striking characteristics of Schumann’s Mignon songs from various points of view.
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• Sarasate in the 21st century (2024) author(s): Dario Antón Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  As a musician from Navarra, I began this research process with the aim of constructing a performance inspired by the violinist Pablo Sarasate, one of the most important musicians from Navarra. The goal of this research is to recognize Sarasate’s legacy, while bringing contemporary music closer to the people of Navarra. In this research, an experiment was carried out to determine how to transform Sarasate’s repertoire to create a contemporary performance. I did this by analysing three types of adaptations. The first is an original transcription of the composer's music, the second a recomposition of one of his works and the third an improvisation based on Sarasate's motives and harmonies. At the same time, the folklore of Navarra and its impact on Sarasate's compositions is explored in depth. After this process, the ingredients for constructing a performance using all three approaches is explored. The idea is that throughout the performance, Sarasate's music will evolve from its original state into a new composition, all inspired by the unique essence of this virtuoso violinist and composer.
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• Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata on the Double Bass (2024) author(s): Grace Chan Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  There is always a trend for double bass players to seek out cello repertoire to play. As a double bass player, in addition to the standard double bass repertoire which I love, I am passionate about creating my own versions of pieces originally written for other instruments. I want to have the experience and thrill of performing pieces from particular composers who did not happen to write for the double bass. This research shows my passion for Rachmaninoff’s cello sonata third movement and the process of me figuring out how to play it on the double bass. Before I started making this transcription for myself, I researched the validity of transcriptions, specifically where it pertains to the double bass repertoire around the beginning of the 20th century, for example arrangements Koussevitzky did for the double bass. For my research, I made my own version for double bass and piano, using my experience playing the cello. It gave me a lot of inspiration and allowed me to understand what to keep and what to change while doing the arrangement. I experimented with my pianist trying to play in different keys and octaves, for example. I also compared different versions by playing on the two instruments. This exposition details my journey exploring how I can transmit my own expressions and interpretation to the audience. This research allows me to realise the purity of music. It does not matter which piece and what instrument, music connects with people when you play with your genuine heart.
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• Quarter tones: a technical approach for its practice on the violin (2024) author(s): Isabel Guantes Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  Since the second decade of the 20th century, violin literature has had numerous works that explore new tuning systems, and the appearance of quarter tones in the repertoire is particularly recurrent. However, there is a pedagogical deficiency in relation to the study of this type of tuning. The primary objective of this work is to provide a compilation of exercises, adapted examples and auditive tools based on the analysis of Eastern musical theories and classical methods to facilitate the understanding and learning of quarter tones, both auditively and technically. This work aims to help classical violinists in their initiation to the new music microtonal languages, for the parameters of tuning to be solved efficiently and methodically in those excerpts in which their use is required. The way to proceed with the research can be divided into two parts: the first one, which we could classify as "theoretical", includes a historical review of micro-intervallic tuning, from Ancient Greece to the present day, through several bibliographical sources, as well as an analysis of some of the most extended methods or commonly known/accepted of violin technique, and the approach to the musical theories of the Middle East with the help of Amer Shanati. The second part, which we could define as "practical", includes the design of the different exercises and auditive tools bringing in the mechanisms of the Arabic scales.
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• Polimnia, a new project to approach Early Music to the audience (2024) author(s): Cristina Ortiz Diaz Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  The Renaissance and Baroque were periods of cultural effervescence in Europe, characterised by a flowering of music, literature, visual arts and also theatre. As these art forms evolved, there was a constant crossover of influences and collaborations, resulting in a unique interplay between them. Music and theatre are two forms of artistic expression that have accompanied us throughout history. These two disciplines have coexisted and intertwined in fascinating ways over the years. In this research I want to explore in an intimate way the connection that can exist between both disciplines and the relationship that can be created between a specific repertoire, in this case a selection of pieces from the 16th and 17th century, and a story that will be created from the affections that the selected pieces evoke and that will later be theatricalised and represented through the musicians by specific characters. All this will be done with the aim of being able to transmit to the audience the affections emanating from the selected pieces in a more direct way, using music and its performers as an emotional vehicle to understand the plot. It will also help us to discover that the music of these centuries does not only serve as a mere sound complement in theatrical performances, but can play a fundamental role in the creation of atmospheres, as well as how it can play a crucial role in the characterisation of characters and also how all this helps favourably to transmit emotions on stage and to establish a stronger relationship between the audience and the performers.
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