Evidence of the Creative Process in Early Music

Abstract

The investigation of musical creativity in early music proceeds largely through three approaches. One involves the study of surviving composer autographs and other evidence of musical composition. These material remains can shed light on the genesis of music that has been preserved in written form. This approach, however, cannot account for kinds of musical creativity that do not involve writing. An important new set of investigations deals with cultural practices, such as the widespread use of improvisation in performance and pedagogy or the role of memory. A third approach that is proving promising is the study of the music itself for evidence of its genesis by specialists with a deep understanding of specific repertories and associated music theoretical writing.