A study of authenticity through interpretive analysis of four solo flute pieces

Musicians are educated in a way that makes it possible for them to produce an authentic performance by merely looking at the notes on the page. The musician calls upon years of technical practice as well as the study of different playing styles in order to interpret the meaning of those dots and lines on the page in front of them. This could involve studying the style that the piece was performed in when it was first written as well as what the composer intended, or it could involve interpreting the piece in a new and modern way with different instruments and techniques than were standard for the time. For my own performance, I chose the former style of authenticity and used my own musical intuition as well as historical context to perform in a way that is closest to the composer's original intent. Through careful study of the music itself as well as the study of historical perspectives and practices, it is possible for a performer to produce an authentic performance that the composers themselves would have approved of, to the best of the musicological field's knowledge. In this thesis I examine the various practices utilized in performing the works on my master's recital and explain which practices I chose to implement in my own performance and why. This thesis is in conjunction with a flute performance master's recital given on March 16, 2018.