The operatic piano reduction as an art form : a critical evaluation

Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 369-374).An operatic piano reduction is a piano arrangement of a full instrumental score of an opera. It is commonly used as a study tool by singers and opera coaches, as a rehearsal score by operatic répétiteurs or rehearsal pianists, and also by vocal accompanists in operatic productions, concerts and recitals with piano accompaniment. There is a widely held view that the piano reduction is a mere stopgap for the full score and that it is limited in the extent to which it can truly represent the essence or content of the score. Furthermore, there is no body of guidelines or principles relating to the realisation and performance of piano reductions. This study therefore attempts to answer the following research questions: • Can the operatic piano reduction only ever be a mere 'stopgap' or can it in fact function artistically on its own terms? • Is it possible to determine a common set of principles or guidelines relating to the realisation and performance of piano reductions