The third eye of musical performance

The study of Western Classical musical performance within institutions is focused on the pillars of technique and interpretation, overshadowing aspects that cannot be rationally proven. The metaphor of the third eye presupposes the transcendent in music and identifies subjective aspects that might be developed in the practice of a performer. Although this is a linguistically underdeveloped area of performance, interdisciplinary research and discussions with performers and teachers reveal that there is a shared understanding of this phenomenon. Through the lens of a performer, this study attempts to discuss subjective elements that can be developed in practice and experienced in performance such as: intention, the embodiment of music and a cathartic communication that takes place within the transcendental dimension of music. The framework that has been developed around the third eye of musical performance aims to further enrich the current pedagogy and enhance the knowledge of young performers.