Expanding horizons - ensemble improvisation on 20th-century classical music (video article)
(2024)
author(s): Peter Knudsen
connected to: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
published in: Research Catalogue
This video article presents two pedagogical applications of the artistic research project "Expanding Horizons" for ensembles with adult music students of diverse musical backgrounds. The project is centered around practical explorations of applying improvisation to repertoire from 20th-century Western classical music, in combination with qualitative methods such as autoethnography, participant-observation and semi-structured interviews.
The examples in the video demonstrates how approaches that are developed in the project can be applied to pedagogical situations, based on ensemble workshops with musicians of different musical orientations enrolled in music performance programmes in Sweden, one with university-level students in a bachelor programme and another with students at a folk high school.
Two pieces were selected and adapted for these situations: Lili Boulanger’s Cortége (1914) and Maurice Ravel’s String quartet in F, movement II (1903). During the workshops, these pieces were then re-worked in a collaborative manner, with an emphasis on mutual exploration and musical expressivity through improvisation. The main pedagogical considerations were: selecting the appropriate repertoire, adapting materials for diverse learners, and fostering agency among performers. Although the improvisational approaches presented are rooted in jazz performance practice, the examples demonstrate how improvisational frameworks can be adapted for music students across musical genres, showcasing the potential for creativity, collaboration and interdisciplinary learning in music education.
Reimaginations, album preview
(last edited: 2024)
author(s): Peter Knudsen
This exposition is in progress and its share status is: visible to all.
A preview of the upcoming album Reimaginations, available on digital platforms from October 15, 2024.
Peter Knudsen, piano
Svante Söderqvist, double bass, cello & vocals
Jenny Kristoffersson, double bass
Daniel Olsson, drums
Tuva Halse, violin
Amund Åse, vibraphone
Eirik Hegdal, saxophone
Michael Francis Duch, bass
© Skaleidoscope music 2024
Artistic presentation concert – repertoire
(last edited: 2024)
author(s): Peter Knudsen
This exposition is in progress and its share status is: visible to all.
This page serves as a complement to Peter Knudsen's artistic PhD presentation "Expanding horizons – Improvisational explorations of 20th-century classical music," Wednesday October 23, 18:00. Kammersalen, Olavshallen, Trondheim, with additional information about the repertoire performed.
