This study is an investigation of tonal structures in selected preludes of Shostakovich's Op.34. Explanations and analytic perspectives provide support of tonality oriented interpretation for the compositions which often appear to be "atonal." Chapter One is divided into (1) historical perspectives of the prelude as form, and (2) Summary of Shostakovich's life and work. Chapter Two contains a historical background of (1) the development of Shostakovich's compositional styles, emphasizing his early style of piano composition, and (2) the impact of his "Lady Macbeth," the crisis and its influence on later works. Chapter Three deals with the problems of and analytical approaches in the study of the selected preludes.

¡§Transcription¡¨ was a common compositional technique used by composers during the nineteenth century. Composers arranged pieces in order to obtain various acoustic effects or fulfill different requests for performers; this type of arrangement is referred to as a ¡§transcription.¡¨ During that time, because the broadcast had not yet been created, the phonograph was uncommon; however, music became popular, pianos gradually owned by the bourgeoisie and polite societies. Composers often arranged pieces of music for the solo piano or small ensembles in order to help audiences easily understand the large musical work. This also contributed to an increased demand for piano works in the music publishing market. Most of Brahms¡¦s transcriptions are transcribed from his original pieces. In the transcriptions of his original works, Brahms often changes the instrumentation, with the piano being the most important instrument in many of his transcriptions. Sonata for Two Pianos, Op. 34b which this paper discusses as being the first composed for the string quintet, was altered in its instrumentation by Brahms to create two different versions, including Sonata for Two Pianos, Op. 34b and String Quintet, Op. 34. The contents of this thesis are divided into three parts besides introduction and conclusion. The first part describes various transcriptions and the features of these works. The contents first discuss the compositional techniques of transcription in the nineteenth century, and then investigate the characteristics of transcription in the works of Brahms. The second part is the motives behind Brahms¡¦s choice of instrumentation in his transcription. The last part describes the historical context of Sonata for Two Pianos, Op. 34b. This part discusses Brahms¡¦s procedures in his transcription of Sonata for Two Pianos, Op. 34b, and discusses the influence of Schubert¡¦s String Quintet, Op. 163 on Brahms¡¦s Sonata for Two Pianos, Op. 34b.

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The study of the twenty-four preludes of Shostakovitch [sic] has a three-fold significance. First, it deals with a body of music literature representing important aspects of twentieth-century music. Secondly, it is an original study since no detailed analysis of these preludes has been made. Very little has been written about this collection of short pieces, and no material is available along the line of a technical, scientific analysis. Thirdly, our subject deals with a collection of compositions written by one of the foremost living composers of today, not only of Russia, but of the entire musical world -- a man who is in the public eye at present, and in whose works the Soviet ideology is reflected.

The dissertation presented a performance analysis and comparison of two major timpani concertos. The Concerto for Five Kettledrums and Orchestra by Robert Parris and the Concerto for Timpani and Orchestra by Werner Thaerichen were chosen for the study because they have been performed by major symphony orchestras, they have been performed at the advanced collegiate level, and because both concertos were written for five timpani and a similar orchestra instrumentation.Initially, each composition was thoroughly analyzed in regard to the specific techniques necessary for a consistent, musical performance. The performance analysis attempted a measure by measure explanation of the solo parts with musical examples; the measures were grouped according to musical phrasing or common technical problems. Some of the more complex phrases were then more minutely examined to focus on a specific performance problem. The mastery of a particular technique or movement was often facilitated by an exercise developed from the performance problem. A number of such exercises were presented and explained in the performance analysis.The comparative performance analysis was presented to best illustrate and illuminate the following similarities and dissimilarities:1. The basic difficulty, in both the composition and performance of a timpani solo, is that of a conjunct, lyrical, multiple-pitched line as opposed to the more idiomatic disjunct, fragmented exchange of solo material with the accompaniment. This was the basis of the comparative analysis. The Parris Concerto is lore linear and lyrical, whereas the Thaerichen Concerto is more fragmented. The Thaerichen solo has for one, two, or three drums and rhythmic work is definitely linear and depends less upon single and two drum figures to create and maintain interest. In this sense, the to the extent that the Thaerichen Concerto does.2. Because of the melodic nature of the material, the Parris Concerto was more demanding in interpretation than was the Thaerichen Concerto. The solo timpani pant in the Parris Concerto is foreground material and is more expressive than the ostinato, background material of the solo part of much of the Thaerichen Concerto.3. There are similar and dissimilar sticking situations which demanded study and experimentation to produce the most musical results. Similarities in stickings include right-hand and lefthand-lead, stick doublings and a combination of alternate stickings and stick doublings. The Thaerichen solo has two passages utilizing repeated eighth-notes in one hand and a melody around the drums with the other; similar stickings are not required in the Parris. However, the Parris solo has complex arms-crossed stickings and almost acrobatic arm and foot movements.4. Tuning schemes vary more frequently aid more dramatically in the Parris Concerto.The performance analysis and comparison substantiated these similarities and dissimilarities and further revealed that the length and many repetitions of the Thaerichen solo demanded the utmost concentration and consistency due to the static nature of many passages. The Parris is more compact, with many varied performance problems facing the soloist every few measures. The variety of melodic material, articulations, and mallet movements result in the Parris Concerto being the more difficult. The Thaerichen Concerto makes fewer technical demands, and spaces them farther apart. In many passages of the Thaerichen, the tuning scheme remains the same. Also, tempo does not vary as often as it does in the Parris. The Parris solo features more foreground material, with its melodic phrases supported by the orchestra; whereas, the timpani in the Thaerichen is a part of the overall orchestral texture, only occasionally being allowed to assume a principal melodic role.This study was undertaken as a guide for the timpanist desiring to study and perform these works. Specific solutions to performance problems have been offered as a means of achieving technical mastery and as a motivation to further explore and exploit one's personal performance skills and talents.

Master of Music / Department of Music / Frank C. Tracz / This document is constructed on the comprehensive examination question based on the Graduate Conducting Recital of Gavin W. Smith. The theoretical and historical analysis includes Spring Wind – Weather Movement I and Storm Warning and Dance – Weather Movement II by Steve Riley, Prelude Op. 34, No. 14 by Dmitri Shostakovich, and Tempered Steel by Charles R. Young. Along with the analysis, this document contains the rehearsal plans and procedures for the preparation of the literature. The recital was performed by Kansas State University’s Symphony Band on March 13, 2007 in McCain Auditorium at 7:30pm.

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This study was prompted by the writer's interest and experience in the field of two-piano performance. At the beginning of this writer's two-piano work the available material was scarce, and much of it was inadequate in quality from the standpoint of both composition and arrangement. It seems strange that this particular form of chamber music, so delightful to play and so enjoyable to listen to, did not completely take popular fancy until the twentieth century. During the past ten years however, teachers are realizing the benefits derived from training students in two-piano playing. There is no doubt in the writer's opinion that two-piano concerts will henceforth always be in demand.