The image in musical performance

an analysis from the perspective of ethos and musical gesture

Abstract

We propose, in this article, a comparison between the different “self-images” conveyed by solo violinists in performances of the same concerto, drawing mainly on the theories of ethos, scenography, and musical gesture. We consider the notion of musical performance as understood by Daniel Kohut (1992) and Simon Frith (1998); the theory of ethos and scenography as developed primarily by Dominique Maingueneau (2008, 2018, 2020) and Patrick Charaudeau (2008, 2020); and the concept of musical gesture as presented by Bruno Madeira (2017). We analyze performances of Felix Mendelssohn’s *Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E Minor, interpreted by Joshua Bell (1967– ), Julia Fischer (1983– ), Isaac Stern (1920–2001), and Leonidas Kavakos (1967– ) as soloists. We conclude that variations in the images projected may stem from historical, social, and contextual factors, as well as from the personal characteristics that the violinist—and/or the media surrounding them—seeks to imprint as a distinctive trait. We also identify, as one of the likely causes, the effort to make concert music less formal and more accessible to the public, altering stereotypes commonly associated with the genre, especially among younger violinists. Aspects such as stage entrances and exits, musical gestures in selected passages of the work, and the ethe previously conveyed by the soloists will be examined. In this way, we analyze not only the musicians’ performances but also newspaper articles and the artists’ own websites, when available. We observed several projected self-images, including: friendliness, informality, formality, gratitude (toward the audience and/or the orchestra), “traditionalism,” sobriety, restraint, sensitivity, and empathy. We hope to contribute both to the field of Discourse Analysis and to the field of Musical Performance, and, above all, to demonstrate how Discourse Analysis can aid in understanding and shaping Musical Performance.