| Abstract [eng] |
In today‘s orchestras it is more and more common that an orchestral pianist is required to perform the parts of orchestral keyboard instruments for pieces that were written from the 19th century onwards. This master’s thesis is looking into what the role of an orchestral pianist contains – which instruments do they play, how these instruments are used in orchestral pieces and how is playing in orchestra different from other pianistic fields, such as performing solo and/or chamber music repertoire. In the first two chapters of this thesis, four instruments are being discussed – a piano, a celesta, a keyboard Glockenspiel and a synthesizer. The author reviews the historical background of previously mentioned instruments and their technical features, then proceeds to give and analyse some examples of orchestral keyboard instruments’ parts based on James F. Rauscher’s dissertation „Treatment of the Piano in the Orchestral Works of Igor Stravinsky“ (1991). For the following chapter a structured interview was initiated with two pianists who were previously playing and/or working in orchestra and in this chapter the author presents the results of this interview. Together with the two respondents it is discussed what are the differences and similarities between performing as an orchestral pianist and performing in other pianistic fields, what is the preparation process, and what skills and knowledge is required to be a successful pianist working in an orchestra. |
