97: Ludwig Holtmeier

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Jun 29, 2020

Guest Ludwig Holtmeier, music theorist and pianist, discusses his musical background, discovery of partimento, and the integration of partimento theory into the modern music curriculum. They also talk about misconceptions surrounding Rameau and different approaches to learning counterpoint. Professor Holtmeier's influence on codifying Italian music methods is highlighted, as well as the complexity and relevance of 18th century music theory.

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Introduction

00:00 • 4min

Music Education and Early Training

03:34 • 23min

Integration of partamento theory in modern day music curriculum

26:58 • 18min

Approaches to Learning Counterpoint and the Relationship Between Harmony and Counterpoint

45:18 • 5min

The Concept of Music Schema and Its Teaching Methods

50:17 • 7min

Music Theory in the 18th Century

57:10 • 6min

Thanking Professor Holmeyer and discussing how to reach him

01:02:49 • 2min

My guest today is the great Professor Ludwig Holtmeier, who is a music theorist, musicologist, pianist and the president of the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg!

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0:23 What’s your musical background? 3:37 Did you have a typical classical training or did you ever improvise as a young musician? 4:18 Do you have perfect or absolute pitch? 4:29 Did you learn music theory and counterpoint as a young musician? 4:59 Moving to Freiburg 7:37 When did you discover partimento? 10:10 How did you break away from Riemannian theory? 12:36 How did you find these older methods? 13:24 Were a lot of treatises lost during WWII? 14:02 What was inside that library of note? 14:45 Continuing the story of how he discovered Fenaroli 15:50 Was it the Fenaroli Regole? 16:10 What date was that manuscript of Fenaroli? 17:12 Why did no one want to teach music theory at the piano at the University of Freiburg? 18:10 How did you fill in the gaps of information in Fenaroli’s regole? 20:57 Is Rameau one of the most misunderstood music theorists? 22:46 What are people getting wrong about Rameau? 27:01 How do you integrate partimento theory with the modern curriculum? 28:08 Is it based around Fenaroli or other teachers as well? 28:43 Do most students come to you not knowing anything about partimento? 29:21 What are some of the best exercises you use? 31:50 Are there theories that you exclude at the University? 33:31 How do you balance partimento with other theories in analysis? 34:42 How would you analyze the music of Wagner? 37:08 What do you mean by arabic numerals? 37:52 What is your perspective on Riemann? 43:22 How about Heinrich Schenker? 45:18 What’s the best way to learn counterpoint? 47:41 Should Harmony be separated from counterpoint? Should they be 2 separate subjects? 48:50 Do you have a preference for Fixed Do, Moveable Do or Hexachordal Solfeggio? 50:16 On Music Schema 53:46 What is the importance of David Heinichen in music theory in the 18th century? 54:46 Did he codify the methods of the Italians? 55:34 Did Bach use Heinichen’s treatise? 57:08 The intriguing unity of the methods of the 18th century 1:00:25 Can partimento and 18th century pedagogy help us understand newer composers like Rachmaninoff, Debussy and Ravel? 1:01:40 What is your advice for parents who will start music lessons for their children? 1:02:49 How can people find you and your work? 1:03:45 Wrapping Up