How is technology changing art?

© 2012 Madalyn Parnas, Takeshi Matsumoto, Belle Chen

The Concept

During the course of history, the arts have always been impacted by the technological advancements of the time. Whether it has always been a welcome change, we do not know. But just as French Impressionist paintings were born as a reaction to the rise in camera photography, Karlheinz Stockhausen’s tape loops were born out of electronic devices and recorders, the powerful computers and softwares today have created a market that heavily emphasises on production (where the ‘art’ is then mass distributed via satellite and internet to televisions, computers, and other personal devices).

But what effect does this have on the core essence of art? How does production and mass distribution affect how the composers write melodies, how writers pen words, and how actors perform? We present you a case study. Based on ‘Giga’ from J.S. Bach’s Partita for Violin No. 3, we strip away the production, the costumes, the make-up, and the lighting, to present you what is really behind a hit pop song in the 21st century.

The Music

The German composer Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was one of the most significant composers in the development of western art music. J. S. Bach’s compositional use of counterpoint, harmony, motivic development, form, textures, and rhythm influenced, and is still influencing, composers generations after his death. J.S. Bach was a prolific composer; he had composed in all genres of his time, with opera being the only exception.

J.S. Bach’s Partita for Violin No. 3 is in the canon of violin repertoire, and is a work familiar to violinists worldwide. It consists of six movements, most of which are dance movements and exemplify J.S. Bach’s skilful writing in the style of various dance forms from differing origins. ‘Giga’ (or ‘gigue’), the final movement of the Partita, is a lively Baroque dance that originated from England.

The Artists

Violin: Madalyn Parnas

http://www.parnasmusic.com

Madalyn and her sister Cicely Parnas are performing as guest soloists with El Paso Symphony, as well as a series of solo and chamber recitals, at the El Paso Pro-Musica Chamber Music Festival from 24th January 2013.

Actor: Takeshi Takematsu

For Takeshi’s biography, please see Featured Performing Artists. Takeshi will be on tour with Hagit Yakira in summer 2013. For more information please see http://www.hagityakira.com

Concept and Editing: Belle Chen

www.bellechen.com

Other Interpretations of ‘Giga’ from J.S. Bach’s Partita for Violin No. 3:

Jasha Heifetz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j1nNOxYuRw

Hilary Hahn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NAwo4zztQU

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