The Sound of Interwar London: investigating evolving orchestral performance practices of the London Symphony Orchestra through recordings of Beethoven’s Second Symphony

Jasmine Middleton

doi:10.26182/w0rt-vb60

The Sound of Interwar London: investigating evolving orchestral performance practices of the London Symphony Orchestra through recordings of Beethoven’s Second Symphony

Jasmine Middleton

Conservatorium of Music

Research output: Thesis › Master's Thesis

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Abstract

This research examines the Interwar period (1918-1939) in London consisting of rapidly evolving orchestral performance styles and a reconciliation of nineteenth-century ideas with the emerging modernist aesthetic. An original analysis of two London Symphony Orchestra historical recordings of Beethoven's Second Symphony (1802) from 1926 and 1938, conducted by Thomas Beecham and Felix Weingartner respectively, compares approaches to tempo, rhythm, ensemble, and expressive timbres, and a database of critical reviews is surveyed to uncover related attitudes and values. This case study pioneers a model for examining the orchestra as a separate stylistic entity and its performances a product of its context.

Original language	English
Qualification	Masters
Awarding Institution	The University of Western Australia
Supervisors/Advisors	Wijsman, Suzanne, Supervisor Sun, Cecilia, Supervisor Collins, Sarah, Supervisor
Thesis sponsors	Australian Government Research Training Program
Award date	17 Jun 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.26182/w0rt-vb60
Publication status	Unpublished - 2022

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10.26182/w0rt-vb60

THESIS - MASTER BY RESEARCH - MIDDLETON, Jasmine Lee - 2022
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Cite this

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KW - Performance style

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The Sound of Interwar London: investigating evolving orchestral performance practices of the London Symphony Orchestra through recordings of Beethoven’s Second Symphony

Abstract

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