Historically Informed Performance
There is much debate over what Historically Informed Performance, or HIP, actually means. At the most basic level, HIP is music that has been performed with particular attention to the technology and performance conventions that were used at the time of a piece of music’s composition.
A major element of being ‘historically informed’ is performing using instruments that recreate the sound of ‘early’ instruments, such as the Baroque flute, oboe and harpsichord.
A major element of being ‘historically informed’ is performing using instruments that recreate the sound of ‘early’ instruments, such as the Baroque flute, oboe and harpsichord.
The Baroque Violin
Although the general shape of the instrument has not changed over time, there are some notable differences between the Baroque and modern violin. The largest difference is the absence of a chin-rest on the Baroque violin; chin-rests were not introduced until the 19th century, by a man named Louis Spohr. Baroque fingerboards were generally 1-2 inches shorter. As music has developed over the years, the violin fingerboards have also gotten longer and longer.
The difference in the sound of the two instruments is mainly caused by the material of the string. The strings of a Baroque violin were made of stretched, dried and twisted sheep gut, whereas nowadays, they are made of metal. Metal strings give a more powerful and piercing sound, which would have been considered too rough and sharp in Baroque times - it was more important to achieve beautiful tone rather than volume. Consequently, Baroque violins created a quieter, thinner sound with a gentler tone. Not much vibrato was used.
The difference in the sound of the two instruments is mainly caused by the material of the string. The strings of a Baroque violin were made of stretched, dried and twisted sheep gut, whereas nowadays, they are made of metal. Metal strings give a more powerful and piercing sound, which would have been considered too rough and sharp in Baroque times - it was more important to achieve beautiful tone rather than volume. Consequently, Baroque violins created a quieter, thinner sound with a gentler tone. Not much vibrato was used.
HIP in New Zealand
Historically Informed Performance is very much present in New Zealand, with many professional groups playing Baroque music with a classical style. One example of these is NZ Barok, a chamber orchestra specialising in performing Baroque and Classical music.