Dancing Through The Goldberg Variations

: A Choreomusical Analysis of Works by Jerome Robbins, Pam Tanowitz, and Steve Paxton

Abstract

From the beginning of choreographers setting theatrical dances to concert music, Johann Sebastian Bach’s music has been used for a range of important dance works by significant choreographers. Certain aspects of his musical style suggest interesting possibilities for choreomusical interactions, where together dance and music shape the audience’s perception and experience. To compare various dance settings of Bach cores offers insight into the choreomusical potential of Bach’s music, and how the dynamic music- dance relationship shapes the works’ identities and meanings.
Situated in the choreomusical subfield bridging musicology and dance studies, my project compares dances set to Bach’s The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988. Goldberg is a complex, original work in Bach’s output, and its intricate structure and rich emotional spectrum allow for a multitude of meaningful choreomusical relationships to arise.
My project focuses primarily on three Goldberg settings: Jerome Robbins’s The
Goldberg Variations (1971), Pam Tanowitz’s New Work for Goldberg Variations (2017), and Steve Paxton’s The Goldberg Variations (1986-1992). These works present contrasting approaches to Bach’s score with very different choreomusical dynamics. Using a multi- stranded methodological framework, I examine the structural features that interrelate, shifting focus to aspects of the two media that are salient and interact meaningfully as the works progress. I then examine the ways these structural interrelationships influence affective qualities and elucidate varying kinds of meaning for the spectator. I situate my conclusions within ontological frameworks defining music and dance works and their performances, as well as discussions of artistic expression and intentionalism. Through this multifaceted approach, this project presents an original and revealing study of choreomusical relationships in Bach’s music. It extends current knowledge of the choreomusical practices of the choreographers involved, provides new perspectives about Bach’s music as informed by movement, and develops our understanding of the poignant relationship between music and dance.

Date of Award	29 Oct 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Roehampton
Sponsors	TECHNE AHRC Doctoral Training Programme
Supervisor	Alexandra Kolb (Director of Studies), Stephanie Jordan (Co-Supervisor) & Anna Pakes (Co-Supervisor)