Challenges of score reduction for piano of a South African opera: Hans Huyssen’s Masque

Abstract

The juxtapositioning of Western and sub-Saharan musical characteristics in some South African operas presents unique challenges for the arranger of operatic piano reductions. The purpose of this article is to explore these challenges through an analysis of Hans Huyssen’s opera Masque, arguing for operatic piano reductions to move beyond being merely ‘stopgap’ measures. The article furthermore attempts to answer the question as to whether it is feasible to determine guiding principles for the realisation and performance of piano reductions of compositions written in juxtaposed styles.

Journal of the Musical Arts in Africa Volume 5 2008, 37–71