Master of Science

Master of Science

Master of Science

Samuel Barber is one of the most important American composers in the twentieth century. He wrote 103 solo songs. Among these works, Knoxville: Summer of 1915, op. 24 is unique because its scale is larger than other vocal works and because it is the only piece Barber wrote for soprano and orchestra. Since the premier in 1948, this masterwork is considered the most ¡§American¡¨ piece of Barber¡¦s works, for that he successfully sketches the atmosphere described in the lyrics, that is, American country life during the 1910s. The main issue of this short thesis is to reveal reasons that make the work well-known for its ¡§most American¡¨ nature. The musical education of the composer, the short biography of the poet, and the compositional background of Knoxville: Summer of 1915, op. 24 are mentioned. Through the analyses of lyrics, tempo and melody, the discussion focuses on how Barber translates the picture of American country life during the 1910s into musical notes.

In this thesis, a new approach to an understanding of the harmonic language in Scriabin's final compositions is presented. The analytical methods used draw significantly upon previous work done by Varvara Dernova, as well as some of the concepts of Manfred Kelkel. The thesis presents a qualified vindication of the structural importance of the quartal spacing in Scriabin's harmonic language. (This characteristic feature of the composer's pitch organization tends to be regarded by most contemporary theorists as merely an idiomatic spacing that the composer favoured.) / The thesis proposes that a structural, ten-note, harmonic matrix (formed through the summation of the octatonic and whole-tone scales) is the key to an understanding of the harmonic language in Scriabin's final works. Graphic illustrations are an important feature of the various analyses presented; these depict both horizontal and vertical aspects of Scriabin' s musical language in his final works, specifically, selections from the piano compositions op.71-74. The analyses also present an evaluation of the importance of the octatonic scale, believed by George Perle, Jay Reise, and Claude Herndon, among other theorists, to be the structural matrix in the late Scriabin oeuvre.

The importance of Scriabin in the present day is found in his underlying contribution to the direction of the use of the piano in this century. Scriabin's special performance practices at the keyboard are concurrent with those of such musical giants as Debussy, Rachmaninov and Schoenberg.It appears that one must evaluate not only the piano sonatas but all of Scriabin's works in a new light because in the face of present day multi-media they become experimental works. The piano sonatas in particular are advanced technical works experimenting with "color" and special effects derived from a conventional instrument. With proper performance and understanding, Scriabin's works become unique, not because of outstanding compositional achievement, but because of the beginning of a new concept in the synthesis of the arts. Also, Scriabin's harmonic innovations developed a system of tonality incorporating a new chord construction and concept of sound at the keyboard, so characteristic of the composer that they came to be labeled as the inimitable "Scriabin style."In the last decade, music scholars have finally begun to place Scriabin in a perspective of our modern music and have found him to be a "progenitor" of our present combination of psychedelic color effects with music as well as music's interrelation with mystic-religious influences. / School of Music

Since 1939, Dorothy Munger's career has encompassed many roles-piano teacher, accompanist, soloist and ensemble performer. Munger's early piano training included study with Karin Dayas, Rosina and Josef Lhevinne, and Guy Maier. Munger's professional performing career has included work with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, solo concerto performances with orchestras around the Midwest, and accompanying for members of the Metropolitan Opera in solo recitals. Honors bestowed upon Dorothy Munger include an endowed chair with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, being named a Steinway Artist, and having a performance hall named for her at Meridian Music Company in Indianapolis.Munger has served on the faculties of Jordan College of Fine Arts (now part of Butler University) and Indiana Central College (currently University of Indianapolis). Her teaching career became internationally recognized when she spoke at two European Piano Teachers Association annual conventions. At these events Munger gave workshops discussing her technique of playing with relaxed wrists and forearms.Munger students learn to keep their wrists relaxed by using motions which relate to the rhythm of the music. These motions allow the fingers to work without interference from tension in the shoulders, forearms, or wrists. Forte passages are performed by using the weight of the body to its full capacity without "pushing" the keys. The use of the diminished seventh chord helps teach the student how to create a full chordal tone while strengthening every finger. Diminished seventh exercises include chord jumps, inversions, and arpeggiated patterns. Using wrist motions during scale practice keeps the passage steady along with keeping the arm relaxed.Munger students have excelled as performers and teachers using these relaxed wrist and arm techniques. Many pianists have come to Munger with physical problems due to tensions while practicing and performing. Dorothy Munger works with all students individually to teach them the basics for performing to their capacity without injury. This information may provide a resource for others studying the methods of successful teachers. / School of Music

This dissertation presents the ten sonatas for harpsichord written by American composer Vincent Persichetti (1915-1987). The research aims to define the specific approach to musical style that Persichetti embraced in these works. The methodology employs an analytical approach to define that style. The introductory chapter places the harpsichord sonatas in the context of Persichetti’s keyboard repertoire and his general musical output and outlines the limited scholarly research available on the topic. The second chapter contains a short biography of the composer and a review of existing literature pertinent to this study. In the third chapter, the ten sonatas are individually analyzed. The concluding chapter summarizes common stylistic traits found in the analyses. It emphasizes the importance of these works for contemporary harpsichordists, denoting Persichetti’s passion for the rediscovered instrument in the last several years of his life. The stylistic elements found in Persichetti’s harpsichord sonatas include the use of classical forms, the preference for contrapuntal craft as exemplified accompanied melody, mirror technique, and complementary rhythms, the amalgamated harmonic language, the frequent use of polychords, the use of dynamic markings as indicators of the registration as well as for musical expression and the use of the full range of the harpsichord. This research references for the first time the composer’s Tenth Harpsichord Sonata, published posthumously in 1994. / School of Music

No description available.

Akademisk avhandling--Konstvetenskapliga institutionen--Göteborg, 1991. / Résumé en anglais.