The word rhetoric derives from the Greek ‘rhetorike’, which means ‘to recite’, and is attributed to a certain way of persuasive speaking by an orator which is used to induce an emotional response from the audience in order to convince them of the speaker’s point. Cicero wrote that the aim of an orator was ‘docere, delectare, et movere’ (to prove, delight and move your audience).
Thus, music was used as a way of affecting the audience in such a way that it would incite (or quell) different passions in the listener – ecstasy, violence, despair, love and so on. Quantz writes,
“Musical execution (or manner of performance) may be compared with the delivery of an orator. The orator and the musician have, at bottom, the same aim in regard to both the preparation and the final execution of their productions, namely to make themselves masters of the hearts of their listeners, to arouse or still their passions, and to transport them now to this sentiment, now to that. Thus, it is advantageous to both, if each has some knowledge of the duties of the other.”
The rhetorical style of music composition was especially prevalent in the baroque era (c.1650-1750). Therefore I, as a baroque cellist, must act as an orator and convey the music I am playing to my audience in such a way as to invoke these passions, even in a modern audience. As Judy Tarling put it,
“An effective delivery in the rhetorical style entails moving the audience’s emotions, and performing in such a way that the speech or composition can be clearly understood and appreciated without effort.”
