Accompanying and the Orchestral Reduction of 20th Century Music

Abstract

As the compositional output of our times increases, pianists are finding themselves relied upon as a necessity in order for a new work to be heard by a live audience. It would be, therefore, be advantageous to pianists who display the inclinations of an accompanist, to have some sort of reference guidance in developing their accompanying skills. The focus of this study is the orchestral reduction specifically of the 20th Century. This study aims towards the pedagogical end of successfully guiding a new accompanist as well as a seasoned one, trough the possible pitfalls and challenges unique to orchestral reductions of the 20th Century, culminating in the successful performance of that reduction in a manner which upholds the original intent.