authentic performance

noun

music

: the practice of performing musical works from an earlier period (such as the Renaissance or Baroque period) using instruments modeled on those of the period and in a style as close as possible to that of performances of the time

One of the most fascinating areas of classical recording for some years has been that devoted to the authentic performance of early music.

—John Rockwell, New York Times, 30 Dec. 1984

—often used before another noun

… an early convert to the authentic performance movement, a trend in classical music that seeks to present works on period instruments.

—Mark Jordan, Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tennessee), 9 Apr. 2011

… attempting to recreate, through the use of period instruments, authentic performance practice and so forth, 18th Century music in stylistic terms the 18th-Century might have recognized.

—John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 1987

also : a performance of this kind

The pianist, composer and scholar, noted for his authentic performances of 18th century music …

—Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, Grand Rapids (Michigan) Press, 11 Sept. 2011

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

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