Just as Mediocrity helps to balance out and enhance Excellence (see In Praise of Mediocrity) , musical works and musical performance are enriched by the workings of pairs of opposites.
Here are some interesting pairs. See how you can use them as you develop musical understanding and as you apply them to create great renditions of musical works.
Formal- rhapsodic
Rhythmic- free
Intellectual- artistic, expressive
Rigid-free
Harmony-counterpoint
Vertical-horizontal
Dissonance-consonance
Tension-release
Details-general
parts-whole
Apollonian-orgiastic, Dionysian
Classical-romantic
Slow-fast
Stable-unstable
Excitement-repose
Crescendo-diminuendo
Ascending-descending
Long-short
Heavy-light
Downward, upward
beginning-end
Antecedent-consequent
Important-unimportant
Ripieno-solo, concertante
Form-content
Loud-soft
Piano-forte
Downbeat-upbeat
Shadow-light
Away from the key-towards the key
Think of other pairs of opposites and how they can be present in your music making. They will help make your performances varied and interesting.
© 2014 Daniel Daroca/The Opera Atelier