Research seminars

Nikki Moran | Invisible artistry: Relationships, creativity, and musical accompaniment

Event details

Speaker: Dr Nikki Moran (University of Edinburgh) 

Date: Thursday 7 March 2024

Time: 5.15 - 6.45pm.  

Venue: Alison House, Atrium (G10)

Abstract

Musicians understand what it means to accompany someone, and what it means to be accompanied: “The sole differentiation between a solo and an accompaniment", explains Cornelius Cardew (1972), “is in the mode of playing.” In this view, accompaniment is a functional, ubiquitous aspect of musical performance that spans presentational, participatory, and everyday scenarios of music-making. Accompanists listen, follow and respond. Their contributions appear subordinate, but their material contribution is substantial: done right, accompaniment is an invisible feature of successful performance, constructing musical forms through which another voice can take prominence.  In the seminar, I will share my ideas about what makes musical accompaniment an exceptionally important topic right now.  Drawing on the research literature of pragmatics, counselling, and psychotherapy, I will talk about ways in which musical accompaniment expresses a relational quality of care, and discuss some implications of this functional view of music performance in relation to creative technology and education practices.

Biography

Nikki Moran's profile page 

 

 

Mar 07 2024 -

Nikki Moran | Invisible artistry: Relationships, creativity, and musical accompaniment

Nikki Moran explores what it means to accompany someone, in musical performance and beyond, and the wider implications of this practice.

Alison House
12 Nicolson Square
Edinburgh
EH8 9DF