Study Group on Historical Sources

Chair: Dr. Susanne Ziegler & Prof. Björn Aksdal

Berlin, March 2003

Dear Colleagues,

We hope that all of you had a good start into 2003 and are aware of submitting your Münster papers in time (deadline March 31st). While still working on the publications of the last conferences, we are already preparing the next STGR meeting.

Thanks to the efforts of Prof. Gerd Grupe at the Institut for Ethnomusicology, University of Music and Dramatic Arts Graz (Austria), the next meeting of our Study Group will take place

from 28. 4. – 2. 5. 2004 in Seggau (Austria)

Seggau is a castle near Graz which is used as a conference site. Some STGR members may remember that the 2nd meeting of the STGR Historical Sources was held in Seggau in 1977, organized by Wolfgang Suppan. So we will meet at a historical conference site and hopefully bring together interested colleagues not only from Europe, but also from outside Europe for a lively and fruitful discussion.

We would like to focus our meeting on the following two topics:

I. Historical recordings of traditional music: Commercial versus archival.
On search for historical recordings ethnomusicologists are often faced with the lack of appropriate examples. Commercial and archival recordings differ very much regarding authenticity, quality, availability and representation, but show in fact two sides of the same medal. The heterogeneity of the sources on one hand, and the various kinds of their relationship on the other are subject to discussion. Colleagues are encouraged to present their attitudes, investigation and experiences with either or both kinds of historical recordings.

II. Relationship between instrumental and vocal interpretation in historical perspective
In continuation of the topics discussed in Münster we would like to focus the second topic on performance and interpretation. The interpretation of specific genres in traditional music has changed during the last centuries, purely vocal styles were performed by instruments; instrumental melodies have been provided with song texts. What were the external or internal reasons for the transition from one performance style to the other? And what kinds of changes may be observed by comparing?

We kindly ask to send your proposals to the chair persons before September 30th, 2003.
The proposals (German or English) should not exceed 300 words.
Please indicate the equipment you need for your presentation.

Schloß Seggau offers not only a wonderful environment, but also conference facilities and accomodation for a fair price. A single room (with shower, WC and all meals included) is available for 47 € in the old building, and for 63 € in the new building; double room (with shower, WC and all meals included) is available for 43 € in the old building, and for 55 € in the new building (price per person).
A general reservation in Schloß Seggau has already been made.

Please address all requests regarding accommodation, reservation, visa and travel to the
Institut für Musikethnologie in Graz:
Leiter: Univ. Prof. Dr. Gerd Grupe
Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst
Leonhardstrasse 15
A – 8010 Graz, Austria
Secretary: Doris Schweinzer
Tel.: +43.316.389-3130
Fax: +43.316.389-3131
e.mail: doris.schweinzer@kug.ac.at
Doris Schweinzer has kindly agreed to serve as contact person for the STGR meeting.

Looking forward to hearing from you

Susanne Ziegler and Björn Aksdal

Dr. Susanne Ziegler
Ethnologisches Museum
Abt. Musikethnologie
Phonogramm-Archiv
Arnimallee 27
D-14195 Berlin
Tel. +49.30.8301-201
Fax: +49.30.8301-292
s.ziegler@smb.spk-berlin.de

Prof. Björn Aksdal
Norwegian Council for
Traditional Music and Dance
Dragvoll
N-7491 Trondheim
Tel. +47-73-596576
Fax: +47-73-596573
bjoern.aksdal@hf.ntnu.no