Defense of the artistic research project “Somatic Theories and Practices and Their Application to Flute Playing”

On July 1, 2020, the defense of Vytenis Gurstis “Somatic Theories and Practices and Their Application to Flute Playing” will take place at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. Artistic Supervisors: Prof. Valentinas Gelgotas, Prof. Dr. Audronė Žiūraitytė. Copies of the research paper and its summary are available at the library of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (Gedimino pr. 42).

Free entrance.

Defense of the creative part of the artistic doctorate project
July 1, 2020, 2 p.m.
LMTA Building 1: Juozas Karosas Hall (Gedimino Ave. 42, Vilnius)

PROGRAM

S. Bach – Sonata fleitai ir klavyrui h-moll, BWV 1030
G. Hue – Fantazija
S. Prokofiev – Sonata fleitai ir fortepijonui, Op. 94
A. Jolivet – Chant de Linos

Soloists:
Gediminas Kviklys, harpsichord
Simona Zajančauskaitė, piano

CHAIRPERSON OF THE DOCTORAL THESIS DEFENCE BOARD:
Prof. dr. Robertas Beinaris (Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre)

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD:
Prof. Petras Vyšniauskas (Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre)
Prof. Adomas Kontautas (Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre)
Prof. Dr. (hp) Gražina Daunoravičienė (Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre)
Prof. Dr. Per Dahl (University of Stavanger)

REVIEWERS:
Meno projekto kūrybinės dalies – prof. Algirdas Vizgirda
Meno projekto tiriamosios dalies – prof. dr. Lina Navickaitė-Martinelli

Abstract

Somatics (Greek soma – ‘body’) can be defined as a holistic self-education process, in which a person finds the most optimal way to purposefully move without stress. Somatics encompasses a wide range of disciplines, often overlapping with medicine, physical therapy, physiology, as well as consciousness-based practices, such as yoga, meditation, Tai chi etc. This artistic research paper focuses on the connection of mind and thinking with the performer’s physiology. Although called “transverse”, the flute is actually held obliquely, with the head slightly turned to the left, therefore for flutists, whose posture is asymmetrical, developing a thorough understanding of complex connections between various parts of the body and the various processes involved, is of paramount importance. The aim of the research is to develop a flute playing methodology based on the latest somatic theories and practices, which would provide performers with a wide range of means to improve and to find the most suitable individual way to move, to efficiently acquire new skills, and to achieve maximum artistic results.