„Following the Trace” or „Looking for a Trace”? Deliberations of Strawiński on the Figure of Artist-Creator Cover Image

„Iść po śladzie” czy „w poszukiwaniu śladu”? Problem autora-twórcy w kontekście rozważań Igora Strawińskiego
„Following the Trace” or „Looking for a Trace”? Deliberations of Strawiński on the Figure of Artist-Creator

Author(s): Adriana Barska
Subject(s): Music
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: art; artist; creator; Igor Strawiński; interpretation

Summary/Abstract: The article is devoted to the problem of artist-creator, pondered on by Igor Strawiński — a composer, pianist and conductor. When should the performer-interpreter follow the instructions of the composer and when should he/she decide on their own interpretation? Can one assume that, at the time of breaking of all the existing conventions, the basic norms at the intersubjective level (the issue typical of a particular era or style of articulation) will be respected? Which types of reaction do new interpretations of classics, going beyond „the modesty of gesture and restraint of expression” evoke? And since one’s „volition” is supposed to stem from the text, what about equivocal avant-garde pieces? Strawiński uses strong words, he calls going beyond the author's intention: “betrayal”. The reason for such attitude, characteristic mostly of practicians (and relating to Umberto Eco's opinion referring to the “use” of literary text, which is so distant from the theses of pure theoreticians) should be inquired about. Can one — loyally remaining „a servant of music” and introducing no characteristic and individual interpretative choices, which may, perhaps, be different than those that constitute the composer’s idea — become an interesting and recognisable artist? Although the author illustrates all the issues mentioned above in detail, using examples from the sphere of music, she is also interested in broader problems: that of a creator/ artist in general, of taste, aesthetic preferences of critics/society, and finally — of the ethos of a contemporary artist, and the border between reception and autocreation of the author and the artist.

  • Issue Year: 2014
  • Issue No: 6
  • Page Range: 50-58
  • Page Count: 9
  • Language: Polish