Three in one : Composer`s intentions and performers reflections

This thesis describes the process from composition to performance, with special emphasis on the composer's intentions and the communication of musical ideas to the performers, through a musical score of an opera. This is done by composing three scenes that use the same libretto, interpreting the libretto in three different ways. The research data was in the form of personal reflections, a questionnaire and a group discussion. I examined my own compositional process and the intentions I had in mind when writing the music, and compared them to the response given by the performers after playing through the music for the very first time. From there, I try to see where possible differences and agreements occur. The result was that my main ideas for the atmosphere and the connections between characters were clear, but the finer details, such as why things happen and where, were not always understood. I also look at the difference between the responses given by the instrumentalists, and the singers. The results show that while the singers got more of the bigger picture, the instrumentalists noticed some of the finer details in the music.Validerat; 20120704 (anonymous