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

• Tchaikovsky and dance: from music to movement (2023) author(s): Eleonora Dominijanni Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  The idea of writing a new, original ballet is born in a bizarre, but actually very natural way. One afternoon I was listening to the Trio in A minor for piano, violin and cello by P.I. Tchaikovsky and happened spontaneously connect some of the melodies to different imaginary characters. I liked this natural tendency so much that I had the idea of trying to invent a story with the characters I pictured, following the order of the variations of the second movement, Variazione finale and coda. At that moment I realized that I was imagining all of this narrated through movement and dance. I was therefore creating a ballet on a Tchaikovsky instrumental composition. From this starting point I started wondering Why and How I could create a fairy narrative story around this music. I wanted to understand and find out what the “magical ingredient” is around Tchaikovsky’s music that makes it so recognizably linked with characters and stories, movement and dance. In this research I will therefore analyze the link between music and dance in the Russian composer's work, passing through the evolution of the connection of the two arts from the Greek times. The historical research and analysis will be followed by the process in the realization of my ballet, which will be described in its process of realization of a small extract, as an exercise and example of collaboration between musician and dancer.
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• THE FIRST JEWISH OPERA COMPANY: Dessauer’s Industry and Recreation of Amusement and Culture (2023) author(s): Nicole Wolfsohn Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  This research is about the first Jewish opera company in history. The company called _Industrie et Récréation d’Amusement et Culture_ and consisting of singers, actors and musicians, was founded in 1784 by Jacob Horst Dessauer (around 1764-1840), a German-born singer and music teacher and one of the most interesting figures in the Yiddish theater scene in Amsterdam – so far, so good, but a look from above is enough to see that this work is being used to talk about another problem: Jewish music, or music of the Jews, and especially it’s art music. The work is divided into four different chapters, the first one is a little introduction to the topic of the Jewish music and art music, the second chapter contains a critical reflection about the history of the music of the Jews but also general history and context of the 18th century, the third chapter called “Ashkenazi Amsterdam; _The Abduction from the Seraglio_ in Yiddish” is the main chapter and is entirely dedicated to the opera company by Dessauer and its Yiddish works, and last but not least our fourth chapter is the conclusion of this work. This is an example of art music in a community in the 18th century, an “attempt at integration” from a person that had built a whole company from nothing. But to understand its specialness, you have to go through the history of the music of the Jews, which is complex and intricate as the cross-section of an onion, to get inside you have to take off the peel layer by layer.
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• Study on Compositional Techniques in Jazz by Exploring Rachmaninoff (2023) author(s): Seongjoon Park Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  An exposition on the 'Study on Compositional Techniques in Jazz by Exploring Rachmaninoff'
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• String instruments and Pop: The use of the violin family in 21st century mainstream pop music (2023) author(s): Fernando Pérez Calvo Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  This project investigates a side of string playing that happens beyond conservatory studies, analyzing the use of string instruments from the violin family (violin, viola, cello, and double bass) in mainstream pop during the 21st century, comparing it also to their use during the 20th century in pop and other styles, such as Disco or Rock and Roll, and see the evolution. In mainstream pop from different historical periods, these instruments can be seen in many songs, however, their use differs due to the technological and social context of each period, as well as economic and popular decisions made by big companies and artists. The project was formulated by doing a bibliographic review for the creation of a historical context and the most theoretical parts, as well as the observation and analysis of hundreds of songs to see and determine this evolution, reaching the conclusion that technology and social networks have changed the way we listen to music and that, in general, string instruments, whether real or synthetic, are used less as time passes in mainstream pop music, protected by economic decisions around social changes and opinions.
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• Stage presence: The impact of body gestures (2023) author(s): Špela Pušnik Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  Many people like to go to concerts and enjoy hearing and seeing the musicians in action. Some of the great performers they forget, while others leave a strong impression. What makes those artists so special that the audience remembers their performance, and wants to hear them again? I believe that the right presentation of oneself on the stage makes a big impact on the reaction of the audience. This research investigates the ways of getting the interest of the audience by using body gestures. Through the process of video comparisons, questionnaire, and my own experiment on the matter, all supported by theoretical information, I discovered that the topic brings divided opinion within musicians. In the world we live in today, I think the question of how to create a presence on the stage is something very relevant and needs our attention. Based on the results I concluded that in certain moments, gestures can be obstructive for the delivery of the piece, and adaptation of body gestures according to the period in which the piece was written as well as by which composer is needed for a good performance. The gestures should appear natural for every performer, even if he/she needs to control the body, and not ‘let himself go’ in the music.
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• Stage Fright and Anxiety in Music Performance:finding techniques for better stage performance. (2023) author(s): Doriana Gorbuleac Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  This research discusses techniques to fight stress and anxiety, interaction between the well-being and body language while performing, pre-performance preparation and how to develop mental resilience while training your mental skills, using visualization and obtaining the ideal performing sate. It also discusses breathing, which is one of the most common problems with oboe playing and how hyperventilation is caused due to stress. Chapter one is all about these techniques that can help a performer increase cognitive ability of cognitive skills for s longer period of time, improve concentration, become more efficient and maintain the resilient mindset. Many are not aware why their body reacts in a certain way to certain situations and my research talks about some of the effects of stress on the human body, which brings clarity to our own wellbeing.  Second chapter talks about the routines of the daily practice, how to change your performing state in the practice room, how to prepare and organize your practice, when to use your mind to think about your goals and whether visualization was successful to practice before a performance. There are also answers given about creating a routine and the benefits of it for your practice. My goal for this research was to encourage students to find their own understanding and develop efficiency and comfort in their own playing.
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