Within this research project, we analyse the – ongoing – debate with respect to the vocal and instrumental scoring of Bach’s cantatas. The presence of commonalities and divergences is revealed by means of a content analysis of written accounts and a consecutive hierarchical class analysis. It becomes clear that adherence to historical sources does not necessarily lead to a univocal interpretation, even within a community of historically informed performance practitioners. As such, our findings reveal the similarities with search and creation processes documented in innovation studies.

Over de auteurs:
Dirk Snellings holds a master’s degree in Musicology. He is currently teaching ‘Singing’ and ‘History of Early Music’ at the Lemmensinstituut Leuven. Besides having a career as a soloist, he is the founder, artistic director and bass of the ensemble Capilla Flamenca. He is affiliated researcher at the Faculty of Arts and Architecture of the K.U.Leuven.
Bart Van Looy is professor in the field of Innovation and Organization at the Department of Managerial Economics, Strategy and Innovation of the K.U.Leuven. He is co-promotor of ECOOM and affiliated with the School of Management and Governance, University of Twente.
Stijn Vervliet holds a master’s degree in Musicology. He is currently working as researcher and research coordinator at the Lemmensinstituut Leuven. He is a PhD student and affiliated researcher at the Faculty of Arts and Architecture of the K.U.Leuven.