Just Play the Notes!: Notation and Interpretation from a Performer’s Perspective

This book provides a performer’s perspective on the communication process, from the composer through notation and interpretation to the performance of classical music. It primarily functions as a textbook for students at music academies and conservatoires, while also being relevant for their teachers, including instrumental instructors in music schools. The topics reflect the dramaturgical process that performers undergo when preparing a new musical work. Through various approaches, the book demonstrates the importance of a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between notation, execution, interpretation, performance, and communication. It centres on the performer’s reading of the notation as the key element in music communication. It is not merely a manual for reading or playing but also places the performer’s interpretation and performance within the broader context of musical life. As an analytical tool, the book divides the signs on the music sheet/score into notes (representing pitches and durations) and unnotes (all other signs and verbal expressions). It offers insights into various options for alternative interpretations in each performance. By providing a theoretical background for a performer’s potential choices, this book will facilitate a quicker and more effective adoption of musicianship among classical music students (and their teachers).