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Thesis (D.M.A.)--University of Maryland, College Park, 2007. / Compact discs.

John Stevens was commissioned by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and the Edward F. Schmidt Family Commissioning Fund to compose a concerto for its principal tubist, Gene Pokorny. The piece began with multiple conversations between composer and performer and from these meetings actualized the influences that shaped the work. The most important influences that the performer mentioned were his passions for American steam locomotives and the Three Stooges, both of which were used by Stevens in his rendering of the composition. This concerto was designed to be played on the famous CC York tuba that was played by the former principal tubist of the CSO, Arnold Jacobs, the same instrument used today. Insight into the history of the York tuba will be given as well as their influence on contemporary manufacturing and design. Focus is given to how Stevens writes the piece idiomatically to the CC tuba and potential performance problems when a performer uses tubas of a different key. Conversations with both gentlemen will display the non-musical influences on Journey and how this effects the composition. Stevens' compositional language is explored and discussed in respect to the challenges and idiosyncrasies within the work. Collegiate tuba professors provide explanation for works level of interest within their respective schools and experiences.

As it stands, only one arrangement of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 23 orchestral reduction exists, which is by Tchaikovsky himself. A number of critical editions of the piece exist, but none of them cover the subject of the material within the orchestral reduction. Tchaikovsky wrote the reduction from a compositional rather than a pianistic perspective, thus some passages present awkward technical challenges. The purpose of this dissertation is ultimately to contribute to the repertoire of accompanists by producing a new edition of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. I created my arrangement through a process of practical trial and error as well as observing the strategies used by other arrangers of orchestral reductions. Through a series of carefully selected omissions, note rearrangements, visual adjustments, and editorial changes, I simplified the reduction as a whole. I sought to improve the readability of the music by reducing accidentals as much as possible and also incorporating small-print cues into the main staves. Each minor adjustment or major revision contributes cumulatively to the ease of execution of the accompanimental part as a whole. Although Tchaikovsky's reduction is authentic and authoritative, a newly revised and simplified version would be useful for collaborative pianists. Thus, I have chosen to create an alternative version of Tchaikovsky's reduction, while still retaining as much of the original material as possible. This edition focuses solely on the collaborative pianist's part.

During the first half of the twentieth century the trumpet has gained its position as a solo instrument, even surpassing its esteemed position in the High Baroque Era. With the combined efforts of performers like Herbert L. Clark, Ernest S. Williams, and Joseph Arban, and the efforts of the French school of trumpet playing, notably those of Raymond Sabarich, the trumpet has risen from a mere accompanying instrument of the Classical Period and early Romantic Era to its present place as an expressive solo instrument. In this relatively new position the trumpeter is faced with one serious problem: that is one of limited literature. The trumpeter of today is almost compelled to perform either works of the Baroque Era or solos written within the last thirty years.

Both of the Chopin concertos are the earliest of his works to be found in the ordinary piano repertoire, and they possess the direct influences and inherited traits of the composer. Since he did no more orchestral work after completing these two works, it is evident that he thought only in terms of pianistic expression. Probably one of the reasons for Chopin's ineffectiveness as an orchestral writer is due to his inability to conform to the classical form: sonata allegro. The e minor concerto is representative of his treatment of the larger forms. Analyzing the elements of an early work of the composer reveals the degree of maturity in individual traits. Elements of basic chord structure and use of harmony, melodic characteristics, and pianistic expression mark the style of a composer. This concerto demonstrates the beginning of chromatic harmony in his time and in his own writing; it contains melodic beauty and pianistic features which make it acceptable in standard concerto repertoire in spite of its many defects.

Thesis (D.M.A.)--University of Maryland, College Park, 2006. / Compact discs.

The purpose of the following study is to make an analysis of the structural elements and stylistic characteristics in the Second Concerto for Violin by the modern Russian composer, Serge Prokofieff. These include the composer's treatment of form, melody, rhythm, harmony, and medium of expression.

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