An examination of the compositional style, subject matter, and use of technology as found in Thea Musgrave's 1987 composition Narcissus for solo flute and digital delay. Includes a short history of Musgrave's formal training, an overview of her creative output, and a discussion of the evolution of her compositional style from her studies with Boulanger in Paris to the present with special emphasis on her dramatic-abstract concept and her forays into post-modernism. Provides insight into Musgrave's choice of mythological text, the literary basis of the Narcissus legend, and its impact on Western thought. Identification of principal motifs, discussion of harmonic implications, melodic language, and optional intermedia effects; and explanation of the electronic effects used within the work. Detailed analysis of the motifs, their electronic manipulations, and how they represent aurally the characters of the Narcissus myth. Listing of Musgrave's works with flute or piccolo in a primary role, details of her transcription of Narcissus for solo clarinet, and diagrams of digital delay controls and stage setting follow as appendices.

Denna uppsats kommer behandla instuderingen och interpretationen av Thea Musgraves sångcykel Songs for a Winter’s Evening (1995). Till verket har Musgrave valt texter av den skotska nationalskalden Robert Burns. De fristående texter hon har valt ut ska tillsammans bilda en historia om en kvinnas liv. Från den unga kvinnan som längtar efter vuxen kärlek till den åldrande kvinnan som upplevt livslång kärlek. Dessa texter skrev Burns till befintliga folkmelodier och skapade därigenom nya ballader. Då jag blev tillfrågad om att framföra denna sångcykel på en konsert den 28 januari 2018 så valde jag att fördjupa mig i verket och även skriva mitt examensarbete om sångerna. Syftet var att genom analys av text och musik i kombination skaffa mig så pass mycket insikt och kunskap i detta verk som krävs för att framföra det på en hög nivå. I analysdelen av denna uppsats framgår det hur jag har arbetat med Songs for a Winter’s Evening ur ett tolkningsperspektiv samt i sammanhang där jag tar upp liknande kompositioner som är baserade på samma folkmelodier. Genom att arbeta på detta sätt med de här sångerna har jag utvecklats både musikaliskt och tekniskt. Jag har kunnat framföra cykeln på en hög nivå och kommer genom fortsatt arbete kunna utvecklas ytterligare. / <p>Medverkande var sopran Amanda Liljefors, dirigent Glenn Mossop och Orkester Filialen.</p><p>På konserten framfördes <em>Songs for a Winter's Evening </em>av Thea Musgrave, <em>Tam O'Shanter Overture </em>av Malcolm Arnold och <em>Symphony in E minor 'Gaelic' </em>av Amy Beach.</p><p></p>

This comprehensive study of Thea Musgrave's Orfeo I is the basis for a lecture-recital performed on March 20, 1989, at the University of North Texas, as part of DMA dissertation requirements. It includes: brief bio-background of Musgrave and Orfeo; historical background of both the Orpheus legend and some landmark dramatic works based on it; general development of Musgrave's dramatic language and specific ways in which she uses it in this composition; analysis of the work; performance guide; and annotated appendix listing Musgrave's published and recorded chamber works which include flute. Orfeo I is a major work for flute and electronic tape comprised entirely of manipulated flute sounds. It was commissioned by the British Broadcasting Corporation for James Galway, who recorded the taped material and was the featured performer in the 1976 London premier. An alternate version, Orfeo II, with fifteen strings in place of electronic tape, was premiered by David Shostac in 1976 in Los Angeles, and conducted by the composer. Orfeo's form is programmatically designed, divided into six sections based on Musgrave's "Scenario"of the Orpheus myth. Characters are dramatically depicted through means of "motifs"; that of Orpheus in solo flute, and all others in tape sounds. Musgrave uses quotations from Gluck's opera, Orfeo ed Euridice and Stravinsky's ballet, Orpheus, as basic compositional models. Using her own harmonic language, she combines tonal and chromatic elements in a linear compositional style which ties flute and tape together. Through "controlled aleatory," the soloist is allowed to shape certain aspects of the work. Use of electronic tape places Orfeo I in the realm of intermedia. In addition, Musgrave offers a versatile range of performance possibilities, from highly dramatic (including lighting instructions, option of ballet choreography for solo male dancer, costuming, etc.) to a straight concert rendition.