Forms of Performance: From J.S. Bach to M. Alunno (1972-)

Today, Bach is one of the most revered and studied figures of classical music, despite there being a time in which he was almost forgotten. Divided into two sections, this volume explores research on J.S. Bach and more broadly examines the topics of music and performance studies; with the latter focusing on composers active today, such as Marco Alunno, or those from the recent past who are lesser-known and performed, such as Pietro Cimara and Leo Ornstein.

Following from Nones's (ed.) previous publication Music as Communication: Perspectives on Music, Image and Performance (ABE, 2018), this work provides a rather unique contribution as a choral attempt at exploring performance today. The intention of this book and the attached CD, with live recordings of the music explored at the conference from which the volume originated, is to inspire fresh approaches to the study of a monument like Bach, while also encouraging original research of modern composition and performance. Recordings of the performances given over the two days of the conference serve either to clarify arguments made in the papers or to attest to the music explored more generally.

This volume is founded on the belief that the history of music is comprised of many figures, some of whom are undeservedly forgotten, and that our understanding of and approach to music is simultaneously shaped by the past and directed by the continual evolution of sounds and attitudes of the present. Examining music styles from baroque (Bach) to contemporary (Alunno), Forms of Performance will be of particular interest to Bach and performance studies scholars, as well as advanced researchers and PhD students in this field.

Michael Maul is a researcher at the Bach Archive in Leipzig, where he also serves as artistic director of the Leipzig Bachfest. Dr. Maul is internationally renowned for several Bach discoveries during the last decade. He is a lecturer in musicology at the Universities of Leipzig and Halle and produces on a regular basis a radio show on J.S. Bach for Deutschlandfunk Kultur.

Alberto Nones is the founder and president of AEMC and serves as the artistic director of various festivals in Italy. He is the author of four monographs and many articles. His piano recordings include "Pietro Cimara L'Infinito, Art songs for soprano and piano" (2019), "Johannes Brahms, The Sonatas for piano and violin" (2017), and "Fryderyk Chopin, The Complete Mazurkas" (2016). Dr. Nones collaborates as author and broadcaster of radio programs with Rai, and teaches History and Aesthetics of Music at the Conservatory of Gallarate, Italy.