The Arpeggione

I intend to write a monograph entitled ‘The Arpeggione: its History and Performance Practice Today.' This study will be comprised of a written thesis alongside a collection of audio-visual materials.

The written portion will cover the history of the arpeggione including its invention, Schubert's Sonata for Arpeggione and Pianoforte, the instrument's further development, and its extinction and recent rebirth. Apart from the strictly musicological aspect of my work, my experience as an arpeggione player will also play a role, not only in my discussion of Schubert's sonata in its original version, but also in relation to the new twenty-first century arpeggione repertoire. The audio supplement will include performances of pre-arpeggionian repertoire, the Schubert sonata in its original version, and some of the finest contemporary works for the instrument.