A Time of Uncertainty: Aspects of Metre Signs and Tempo Indications in the Autograph Manuscripts of Marc-Antoine Charpentier

Powney, Adrian Colin

A Time of Uncertainty: Aspects of Metre Signs and Tempo Indications in the Autograph Manuscripts of Marc-Antoine Charpentier

Powney, Adrian Colin (2025) A Time of Uncertainty: Aspects of Metre Signs and Tempo Indications in the Autograph Manuscripts of Marc-Antoine Charpentier. Doctoral thesis, Birmingham City University.

Preview	Text Adrian Colin Powney PhD Thesis Volume 1_Final version_Final Award Dec 2025.pdf - Accepted Version Download (3MB)
Preview	Text Adrian Colin Powney PhD Thesis Volume 2_Final version_Final Award Dec 2025.pdf - Accepted Version Download (2MB)
Preview	Text Adrian Colin Powney PhD Thesis Volume 3 Musical Examples - Chapters 1-8 (1).pdf - Accepted Version Download (32MB)
Preview	Text Adrian Colin Powney PhD Thesis Volume 4 - Appendices - Metrical Notation in Multiple Settings.pdf - Accepted Version Download (9MB)
Preview	Text Adrian Colin Powney PhD Thesis Volume 5 - Extended Data-tables for Chapters 1-8.pdf - Accepted Version Download (12MB)
	Spreadsheet Adrian Colin Powney PhD Thesis Appendix I - Charpentier's Text Settings by Incipit, LU or Bible Reference.xlsx - Accepted Version Download (52kB)
	Spreadsheet Adrian Colin Powney PhD Thesis Appendix II Conceptions of Tactus, Beat and Metre by French Writers 1600-1750 v.1.0.xlsx - Accepted Version Download (539kB)

Abstract

The years following the tercentenary of the death of Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704) saw a huge resurgence of interest in his life and works, resulting in numerous scholarly outputs. Notwithstanding, numerous questions remain, particularly on aspects of his performing practices. One area yet to receive detailed attention is the issue of tempo; specifically, the significance of metre signs and tempo indications throughout his autograph manuscripts. Charpentier composed during a period of transition from the archaic use of metre signs as indicators of tempo or of mensural configuration to the more modern orthochronic practice where time words are the principal indicators of tempo. Establishing where Charpentier’s practices lie is crucial to ensure that modern performers seeking to understand his intentions can make informed and reasoned interpretations in this area.

This thesis examines the 14 metre signs found in Charpentier’s autograph manuscripts (among them, composite signs and archaic signs) and the various ways in which aspects of notation and paranotation influence the tempo associated with each sign. These include rhythmic notation (including void notation, known in French as croches blanches), textual Affekt (including how multiple instances of the same text are set), the use of terms of mouvement, i.e. time words (which include qualifiers, modifiers and beating instructions) and the appearance of metre signs at points within and between sections of a work that may suggest a speed different to the one conventionally associated with it. These findings are set against information from French treatises and primers written between approximately 1600 and 1750, as well as the chronology of the composer's works.

This study concludes that Charpentier broadly associated each metre sign with its conventionally associated tempo, while repurposing several archaic metre signs to indicate the tempo of a given section as precisely as possible. Where a metre sign occurs in conjunction with terms of mouvement and/or notational elements that contradict the conventionally associated speed, it is likely Charpentier was working in what I have termed tempi loci; that is, where notational and paranotational elements cause the tempo to be flexed to one or other end of a range of speeds in proximity to the conventionally associated speed.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Dates:	Date Event 8 December 2025 Accepted
Uncontrolled Keywords:	French Baroque, historical musicology, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, metre signs, performance practice, mélanges autographes, modifiers, qualifiers, repurposing of archaic signatures, ritardando, rallentando, tactus celerior, tactus tardior, tempo, terms of mouvement, time words
Subjects:	CAH25 - design, and creative and performing arts > CAH25-02 - performing arts > CAH25-02-02 - music
Divisions:	Doctoral Research College > Doctoral Theses Collection Royal Birmingham Conservatoire > Royal Birmingham Conservatoire - Music
Depositing User:	Louise Muldowney
Date Deposited:	12 Jan 2026 11:23
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2026 11:23
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16794