Composer and musician Nicola Canzano discusses his journey as an improviser and composer, the interconnectedness of math and music, the appeal of the harpsichord, learning counterpoint, improving composing skills, counterpoint in modern music, Handel opera, and his upcoming book and recording projects.
Studying historical performance can deepen understanding of musical structure and technique.
Mathematics and physics play a role in enhancing problem-solving skills in music composition.
Principles of counterpoint and figured bass can be applied to contemporary music genres for effective melody creation and harmonic understanding.
Deep dives
The Importance of Historical Performance and Early Music
Historical performance and early music are valuable areas of study and exploration. Nikola Konzano, a composer and harpsichordist, shares his journey into historical performance and how he fell in love with the sound of period ensembles. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and appreciating the musical style of different eras, such as Baroque music, and how it can shape one's approach to composition and improvisation. Learning about historical performance can provide a deeper understanding of musical structure and techniques.
The Connection Between Math and Music
Nikola Konzano discusses the connection between math and music, stating that mathematics is a form of describing the world that shares similarities with music. He believes that studying physics and math can enhance problem-solving skills in music composition. The analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities cultivated in physics can be applied to composing and analyzing music. Konzano also notes the importance of mathematics in describing and appreciating the beauty and structure of music.
Applying Counterpoint and Figured Bass Concepts in Contemporary Music
Konzano believes that the concepts of counterpoint and figured bass can be applied to various styles of music, including contemporary genres like pop and jazz. He highlights the similarities between the principles of Baroque music and contemporary styles, such as melodic counterpoint, looking at harmonic possibilities, and improvisation. Konzano suggests that studying counterpoint and figured bass can provide valuable insights into creating effective melodies, understanding harmonic structures, and thinking creatively in composing and improvising, even in more modern musical contexts.
The Importance of Developing Composition Skills Through Continuo Playing
Continuo playing provides a strong foundation for developing composition skills due to the focus on finger dexterity, understanding correct note choices, and avoiding counterpoint errors. The skills acquired in continuo playing can be easily transferred to composition, as players already have an intuitive understanding of harmonic progressions, passing tones, and the structure of phrases. By transcribing continuo playing onto paper, players can start examining their compositions with a new perspective, focusing on form and structure. The study of continuo playing also allows musicians to experiment with different musical idioms, helping them grow as composers and improvisers.
Starting Points for Learning Composition and Improvisation
When beginning to learn composition and improvisation, it is essential to develop a strong foundation in the chosen instrument. Having a good grasp of the instrument allows musicians to focus on creating music and exploring different harmonies and melodies. Analyzing favorite fugues and canons serves as a starting point for understanding structure and rhetorical considerations in music. Starting with four-voice fugues before delving into two-voice fugues can provide a better understanding of harmony and allow musicians to explore harmonic proportions more easily. Trying to replicate favorite compositions and identifying areas for improvement is also crucial in the learning process.
I’m so pleased to introduce my guest today, composer, improviser, harpsichordist, and organist Nicola Canzano! He is the composer of his “First Book of Partimenti: Preludes, Fugues, Rondeaus, and Puzzles, Twenty Four in total through all key signatures”. He is also the founder of the upcoming NEw York and Montreal based group Nuova Practica, which focuses on composing and improvising in baroque and early adjacent music.
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