Baermann's Body:
Led by Dr Emily Worthington (University of York, UK), the Baermann's Body project is using a case-study of the 19th-century clarinettist Carl Baermann to explore the role of embodiment in Historically Informed Performance research.
Project Aim
Embodiment is a primary research method used by musicians working in Historically Informed Performance (HIP) for professional practice and academic research. It is clear that using our bodies and our instruments to explore historical musical practices gives us an insight into the past, but it can be difficult to explain exactly why or how. This makes it harder to communicate the value of what we do.
The aim of the Baermann’s Body project is to better understand how embodiment works in HIP, to give HIP musicians more insight into our own practices and to help us communicate with the general public and researchers in other disciplines.
Case study: Using
embodiment to explore Carl Baermann's musical practice
embodiment to explore Carl Baermann's musical practice
Baermann’s playing techniques and expressive language will be analysed by playing his compositions, editions, and pedagogical materials on the instrument that he designed – the Baermann-Ottensteiner Clarinet. Archival research will contextualise these findings in relation to Baermann’s musical ‘ecosystem’. Insights will be developed further in collaboration with professional HIP musicians, through workshops, performances, and recordings of 19th-century solo and ensemble repertoire.
Reflection:
Understanding the embodied research method
Understanding the embodied research method
Multi-media documentation and critical reflection throughout the case study will be used to explore the embodied research process. Research from other fields including theatre, dance, experimental archaeology and cognition studies will be used to understand and explain how embodiment works and what kind of information it gives us.
Engagement:
Sharing embodied research methods
Sharing embodied research methods
During the project, in-person and online events and content will be used to engage with interested parties. Publications, workshops and an online toolkit will be developed to offer help and resources to musicians involved in embodied HIP research in professional and academic contexts.
Get involved
Are you a professional musician, artist-researcher or scholar working in HIP or 19th century music? Are you interested in hosting or participating in workshops on embodiment and C19 performance style, or collaborating on an area of the project? Drop me a line and let’s talk!
The Baermann’s Body project is funded by a UK Arts and Humanities Research Council Research, Development and Engagement Fellowship at the University of York.
School of Arts and Creative Technologies
University of York, YO10 5DD
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