Twenty-First Century Interpretation

Question:

How can we fully understand and interpret a performance from the past so authenticity can be attempted when we are experiencing performance through a twenty-first century perspective?  



      We cannot fully understand and interpret a performance from say the 1800's because we think differently now. We do not have to do and think as they did in 1800 which is perfectly fine. Our thinking and technology has grown. For example, females used to marry around the age of 15. This is considered a taboo to society. Females do not need to marry at all. They can be a success on their own. One attempt to understand a past performance which I can see working is learning the history of the time and gathering primary sources on the topic but even then, it will not be complete and it will never be complete because there is no recording of the performance and you wouldn’t be there to experience it. Your long lost Aunt Jill may have been there but she can't help. She has expired like the performance did. Don't look at your twenty-first century perspective as a burden, look at it like a blessing; they didn't think to create the laptop yet.  
 
    


     

Creativity

Question:

How can your own creativity be expressed if you are trying to be faithful to the composer’s ideas? Is there a creative process? 

    

     If one is trying to be completely faithful to the composer's ideas then they are in a sense copying the composer and can't contribute their own ideas. The only time their own creativity may intervene is if they had to improvise what the composer wanted. However, being faithful to the composer's ideas may teach the creator concepts and give them ideas for their own creativity even if they can’t express it at the moment. But, if the composer is creating their own performance or piece and they are faithful to the composer's ideas by it being the main influence or inspiration of their piece then that is a perfect outlet for their creativity and originality to show through. If being faithful to the composer's ideas goes as far as coping, then yes the creator's creativity is blocked and they have no originality. It's one thing to build off a composer's idea and another to be faithful to the point where the work is replicated to reach authenticity which is like trying to reach perfection.
     Although being faithful to the composer's ideas may block personal creativity, there is a process that can be behind the work which one can learn from, embrace and use it when they want to make their own original work.