Sculpting Music Performances: About Choreomania and the Process of Shaping a Performance

Silvia De Teresa Navarro

This research explores how choreomania - the historical phenomenon of uncontrollable, communal dance “plagues” that emerged in the Middle Ages - can inform and shape my artistic practice. Central to this inquiry is the question: how does choreomania influence my creative process and the way I shape my performance practice as a classically trained pianist? The study unfolds three main blocks. First, an essay examines the conceptual formation of choreomania, its contemporary relevance, and its impact on my artistic work. Simultaneously, I observe and document the creative processes of artists-in-residence during my internship at the residency programme "Choreomania - Bodily Excess, Collective Unrest". The thrid block involves an experimental playground consisting of several performance try-outs, each rigorously documented, analysed, and reflected upon. Adopting a rhizomatic approach, I explore performance-making as a fluid, irregular process. The resulting performances weave together classical piano, improvisation, movement, voice, collaboration, live-electronics, audience engagement, and the submerged elements of choreomania. The research culminates in a synthesis and reflection of the entire process, offering new insights into performance-making.

Annexes

Annex A

The following document is a selection of my ‘DOOR Residency Personal Journal’. It contains only relevant thoughts or notes during my internship at the residency. Structured as dated entries, the journal combines fragmented notes with reflective passages, creating a spontaneous and raw collection of thoughts. It shifts between concise, functional points and fluid, introspective writing, capturing both documentation and personal interpretation.

Annex B

Interview with Alexandra Cassirer on February 15th, 2025.

Annex C

Interview with ELLE FIERCE, on February 17th, 2025.

Annex D

Section of the interview with Aun Helden, on February 19^th, 2025.

Annex E

The following document is “Selection of my Project Journal #1” which documents my artistic thoughts and process towards the first experimental try-out.

Annex F

The following document is “Selection of my Project Journal #2” which documents my artistic thoughts and process towards the second experimental try-out.

Annex G

The following document is “Selection of my Project Journal #3” which documents my artistic thoughts and process towards the third experimental try-out.

Annex H

The following drive folder contains photos from my time at the residency on choreomania at DOOR Foundation. Photos were taken by Wang Mengyun.

Annex I

Below you can find the youtube links to the full performances.

Try-out 1

Try-out 2

Try-out 3

Annex J

The following document is “Selection of my Project Journal #4” which documents my artistic thoughts and process towards the third experimental try-out.

Table of contents

To the top

Bibliography

Tip

Tip

Silvia De Teresa Navarro - Sculpting Music Performances: About Choreomania and the Process of Shaping a Performance - 2025