PEDAGOGICAL PROBLEMS OF WORKING ON FOUR SKETCHES FOR A SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA BY DIMITAR NENOV IN THE CURRICULUM IN ORCHESTRA CONDUCTING BY PIANO

Abstract

A simple reason to make Dimitar Nenov’s Four sketches for a symphonic orchestra part of the curriculum is their high artistic value. Even though they are a comparatively early opus, the Sketches were written with respectful professionalism and impress listeners with the impact they make. Another significant consideration that makes working on Four sketches for a symphonic orchestra scores in the orchestra-conducting classes especially valuable and useful, is the opportunity for the trainees to get to know the work better and acquire important conducting skills. The process of analyzing and perceiving a work of music from the viewpoint of its interpretation, in this case – from the point of view of preparing oneself for interpreting it in academic work with the help of a pedagogue and an accompanist, is radically different comparing it to the process of listening to it recorded or in a live performance. A conductor’s approach to this process enables him to delve into making the work from the point of view of the following: - deep consideration of the structure of the cycle; - understanding the inner links between separate parts; - building a unique set of the images in a single sketch. At the same time, the manual work on the composition helps one to develop important conducting skills like a - sense for processional dynamics; - good initial selection of tempos; - clear conveying of even the minutest changes of tempo; - simultaneous manual presentation of contrastive dynamics in various orchestral layers; - clearly differentiated strokes; - sense for artistic measure in order to portion various musical tools of expression in compliance with the inner logics of using them. Solving the overall performer’s and particular manual issues with the help of the teacher contributes for the comprehensive professional development of the students.