What is the meaning of Pastiche? Concept, Definition of Pastiche

Definition of Pastiche


1 Meaning of Pastiche

Pastiche is a technique used in literature and other arts, consisting of openly imitate different texts, styles, or authors and combine them, in such a way that they give the impression of being an independent creation. Sometimes it is made in a parodic manner but in general it is usually done in an environmentally friendly manner.
The term comes from the French, which in turn took it from the Italian pasticcio, and originally referred to imitations of paintings so well done that could pass for authentic. Applied to literature, was used in 1919 by the French writer Marcel Proust in his Pastiches et Mélanges, which mimics the style of several authors of the 19th century.
Pastiche is frequent in the literature from the 1960s. Examples of pastiche found in works such as verdad sobre el caso Savolta, Eduardo Mendoza, Tres tristes tigres by Guillermo Cabrera Infante or in several of the novels of the Argentinian Manuel Puig.
Also the coexistence has been understood by pastiche in a literary work of different linguistic registers with parodic intent. This would be the case, for example, of the work lights of bohemia, of Ramón del Valle-Inclán.
In the 18th century, the pastiches of opera, known with the Italian term, pasticcio, were frequent in composers such as Handel, for example Muzio Scevola (1721) and Giove in Argo (1739), as well as Gluck, and Johann Christian Bach. These were works that were formed mostly by lots of works by other composers, although they could also include original compositions. The portions taken from other composers would suit more or less free way, especially in the case of arias in operas pasticcio by replacing the original text with a new. Also at the beginning of the 19th century, in Italy, composers such as Rossini and Donizetti made pastiche operas re-developing compositions theirs earlier.
Example of modern pasticcio is recording The sorceress, performed by Kiri Te Kanawa in 1994 with the Academy of ancient music under the direction of Christopher Hogwood, formed by several arias handelianas, with instrumental interludes of his operas. Another example is The Enchanted Island, where lovers of the dream of a summer night shipwrecked on the island of the Tempest. Inspired by the musical pastiches and masquerades of the 18th century, the opera presented arias and scenes from set of Handel, Vivaldi and Rameau, among other masters of the Baroque, with a new Libretto by Jeremy Sams. "The Enchanted Island" will be premiered by the Metropolitan Opera of New York in its 2011-2012 season, it will be directed by William Christie, and will feature an all-star cast: David Daniels (Prospero) and Joyce DiDonato (Sycorax), Plácido Domingo as Neptune, Danielle de Niese as Ariel, and Luca Pisaroni as Caliban.
Pastiche in psychology, with respect to adolescence, refers to the "as if"; plagiarism would be the result or monstrosity of the disappearance of individuality. It is of great importance in adolescence in relation to theories which argued that such the life time was defining in the realization of the own identity, necessary step for normal human development. Individual identity was considered a synthesis product of partial identifications and homemade. The pastiche, in turn, means "be as if were another," direct imitation without compilation, no personal style.


2. Definition of Pastiche

Pastiche is a notion originating in the French language. The term is used to name the work that is created from the combination of components present in works of other people. In this way, pastiche is presented as if it were a new and original work, although it is a compilation of known elements.
The author of a pastiche of all modes, can recognize its creation as an imitation of the style of other authors. Imitating something already done by other artists, there may be an intention to make a tribute, although sometimes the pastiche is also a parody.
It is possible to find examples of pastiches in the cinema, literature, music and Visual Arts. A novel that combines different styles, becomes the first to the third person narration and includes fragments of newspaper articles and screenplays, for example, it may be considered a pastiche.
Sometimes the concept of pastiche is used in a derogatory way to qualify what is little unclear or undefined. If an editor, upon receipt of a manuscript, says that you it's a pastiche that lacks identity and whose narration advances without firm direction, it will be conducting a negative criticism of the text.
In similar sense, a man trying to prepare a gourmet recipe that had never before performed, can become disappointed by the result and say that the dish that made is a pastiche with a little enticing appearance and a too careless presentation.