A University of Wolverhampton academic has had two DVDs created off the back of her research.

Dr Amanda Bayley, of the University’s Department of Music, has been carrying out research into the creative processes of music - particularly looking at the relationship between composer and performers in Michael Finnissy’s Second String Quartet.

The aim of the research, which was funded by the British Academy, is to develop a better understanding of musicians or practitioners working together.

Dr Bayley, who is a Reader of Performing Arts, has studied rehearsals and other documentation of ‘work in progress’ to help reveal the composer’s and performers’ individual and collaborative decision-making processes that usually take place behind closed doors.

The DVDs, a film and interactive piece of software, were launched at the Institute of Musical Research in London last month.

Dr Bayley said: “Launching the DVD felt like a huge sense of achievement having spent over two years editing all the materials and organising the content with the help of a programming assistant.

“Owing to its uniqueness as a research resource and as a teaching tool I am looking forward to receiving feedback from users that will help to steer the next technological developments of my research.

“The aim of it is to stimulate practitioners and music academics as well as amateur enthusiasts to help them gain insights into contemporary music.”

The research, which was also supported by PALATINE (Performing Arts Learning and Teaching Innovation Network), was the result of the study of Michael Finnissy’s Second String Quartet.

This has led to further research on Finnissy’s Third Quartet, which is dedicated to Amanda Bayley.

A CD of Finnissy’s Second and Third Quartets performed by the Kreutzer Quartet has just been released on the NMC label: http://www.nmcrec.co.uk/recording/second-and-third-string-quartets

A preview of the DVD can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHzNtCJRgOo

ENDS

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