This essay aims to interconnect the aspects of canon, cultural musicology, music and language with the systematic category of dispositif. In a short overview on the disciplinary canon debate, the essay describes the idea of a musical canon and questions its methodological status in musicology. The conclusion is that (aesthetic) value judgements are to be rejected as scientific (consequently rational or intersubjectively reasonable) selection criteria. The second argument draws on Lawrence Kramer’s notion of “constructive description”, which addresses the relation of music and language and helps in understanding the canon as a specific historical agency of different overlapping discourses. In order to outline an integrative ontology for the epistemological interest of cultural musicology, the last section synthesises these arguments in the Foucauldian idea of dispositif. 

Partimento – Practice or Art?

Partimento practice originated in Italy and the most important centre of this art was Naples. In general, partimento is a kind of an abbreviated form of musical notation. It uses the notation of basso continuo: it provides one voice, which in most cases is the bass part supported with figures of b.c. notation. The figures may be neglected if the performer is supposed to follow the so-called rule of the octave. Practicing partimento was a way to master compositional skills: thorough bass, harmony, counterpoint, form, texture, motivic coherence. Practicing this art was rewarded with an unparalleled fluency in improvisation on keyboard instruments. It was the basic method of composition teaching at the famous conservatories in Naples. The conservatories were founded in the 16th century as orphanages but from the 17th century onward they turned into important professional schools of music. The students of the conservatories attained the highest degree of musical knowledge enabling them to pursue great careers as composers and performers (both in the vocal and instrumental realm) in Italy and abroad. Besides Naples the art of partimento was taught in other Italian cities, e.g. Rome and Bologna. Its influence was also seen in other countries, mostly in Germany.

Besides being exercises, the partimento notation was also included in pieces of music not necessarily intended for teaching purposes. Bernardo Pasquini (1637–1710) was one of the very first composers to write partimenti; however, he did not use the word “partimento”. His works for one or two keyboards, written as b.c., were called by him for example “basso”, “basso continuo”, “sonata”, “versetto”. An interesting question nowadays is if partimento is an old-fashion method of teaching or an inspiration for artists seeking for individual ways of own expression. 

Missa in Dis by Antoni Milwid (1755–1837) in the Context of the Repertoire of the Monastery’s Chapel from Czerwińsk

The musical life of Czerwińsk nad Wisłą at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries was strictly connected with the artistic activity of Antoni Milwid (1755–1837), a composer and organist. Although there are ten compositions signed with his name preserved in the collection of the monastery’s chapel as well as other manuscripts seemingly written with his hand, the religious output of the composer has not been investigated so far.

The article discusses briefly the activity of Czerwińsk’s chapel during the difficult time of the partitions of Poland and secularisation of the monastery, sketching its repertoire based on preserved manuscripts. Then, Antoni Milwid’s life and art is presented in the light of accessible sources. Finally, Missa in Dis CZs Rps 5 from Czerwinsk’s collection is analysed in terms of its form, melody, rhythm, harmony and instrumentation, what allows the author to draw general conclusions concerning the compositional workshop of Antoni Milwid. 

Jan Antoni Wichrowski’s Compositions for Violin Solo and Violin with Piano. Overview

Jan Antoni Wichrowski (1942–2017) was a composer and professor of Karol Lipiński Music Academy in Wrocław. Among around 60 of his compositions representing almost all of music genres and forms, there are three for violin solo and two for violin and piano that the author of this paper was particularly interested in. In the article, Wichrowski’s pieces for violin solo and violin with piano are shown in the context of composer’s life, output and, lastly, general style. The aim of the article is to present a very interesting, yet not well known composer’s music to the broader audience.