Busoni was one of the most celebrated pianists of late nineteen century. Besides his wonderful performing, his virtuosic transcriptions of Bach compositions contribute to Romantic piano repertoire. Through years, the music of Bach still popular on stage, and inspires many composers transcribe his works to other instruments. In 1893, Busoni transcribed, for the piano, the famous Bach Chaconne for violin solo from the Partita No.2 in D minor and dedicated it to the pianist Eugen d'Albert. Today, among the numerous versions, Bach-Busoni Chaconne is most often performed. This thesis mainly discuss the arrangement of Bach-Busoni Chaconne, and divided three main directions. The first part, concentrated on background research and investigated on correlation between Busoni¡¦s and Bach¡¦s Chaconne in D minor. In second part, aimed at the analysis of texture in Bach- Busoni. In third part, discussed the features of the original works which Busoni inherited from Bach, and the differences between Busoni¡¦s work and Bach¡¦s original work. The differences are divided into the emphasis on sarabande, the imitate colors of the pipe organ with sound effects, the usage of octave, and different register. Busoni followed closely to Bach¡¦s original work; he not only added virtuosic passages, pedal usage, dynamic change, different register, but also gave expression terms to reach the result of imitate the quality of orchestra and pipe organ. The Chaconne in Busoni¡¦s hand became a piano piece with great Romantic spirit in it.

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This study describes the integration of harmonic idiom and tonal design in Schoenberg's First Quartet, op. 7. Two general questions are answered: whether the composition should be judged by common-practice-period norms, and whether a coherent tonal structure is truly discernible. Chapter 1 first surveys the existing literature. It then describes a prime motivator of foreground chromaticism in the quartet—the chromatic surrounding of tonic and dominant pitches—and discusses two features of large-scale pitch organization applicable to Schoenberg's first-period music that contravene common-practice-period norms: tonal structure consisting of a pattern of keys, and systematic use of dual or even multiple tonics in place of monotonality. Examples illustrate three types of graphic representation of tonal duality to be used in the study. The next four chapters describe tonal process within and across the four "movements" of the quartet (Schoenberg's Parts I through IV). Chapter 2, which studies Part I, reveals systematic avoidance of V-I function in the opening key, D, tonal rivalries between D and each of its two semitone-related keys, and the beginning of a large-scale chromatic surrounding of the key of D. Chapter 3, on Part II of the quartet, demonstrates continuation of the rivalry between tonics D and Dt> by their use as competing secondary tonics within the Scherzo, and the harmonic progression VII-I replacing V-I at a crucial structural point. Chapter 4, on Part III of the quartet, describes tonal duality as it occurs in the Adagio, the furthering of the tonal plot in a section that engages in a "plagal" system of tonality, and the beginning of a large chromatic surrounding of A. Chapter 5 shows that Part IV eschews a simple relationship between the A-major tonic of the Rondo and the D-major tonic of the Coda by allowing the infiltration of elements of the Db-major collection. Chapter 6 summarizes the evidence contradicting a monotonal understanding of the composition and reviews evidence that the demonstrated multi-tonal coherence is part of the musical reality of the work.

This study describes the integration of harmonic idiom and tonal design in Schoenberg's First Quartet, op. 7. Two general questions are answered: whether the composition should be judged by common-practice-period norms, and whether a coherent tonal structure is truly discernible. Chapter 1 first surveys the existing literature. It then describes a prime motivator of foreground chromaticism in the quartet—the chromatic surrounding of tonic and dominant pitches—and discusses two features of large-scale pitch organization applicable to Schoenberg's first-period music that contravene common-practice-period norms: tonal structure consisting of a pattern of keys, and systematic use of dual or even multiple tonics in place of monotonality. Examples illustrate three types of graphic representation of tonal duality to be used in the study. The next four chapters describe tonal process within and across the four "movements" of the quartet (Schoenberg's Parts I through IV). Chapter 2, which studies Part I, reveals systematic avoidance of V-I function in the opening key, D, tonal rivalries between D and each of its two semitone-related keys, and the beginning of a large-scale chromatic surrounding of the key of D. Chapter 3, on Part II of the quartet, demonstrates continuation of the rivalry between tonics D and Dt> by their use as competing secondary tonics within the Scherzo, and the harmonic progression VII-I replacing V-I at a crucial structural point. Chapter 4, on Part III of the quartet, describes tonal duality as it occurs in the Adagio, the furthering of the tonal plot in a section that engages in a "plagal" system of tonality, and the beginning of a large chromatic surrounding of A. Chapter 5 shows that Part IV eschews a simple relationship between the A-major tonic of the Rondo and the D-major tonic of the Coda by allowing the infiltration of elements of the Db-major collection. Chapter 6 summarizes the evidence contradicting a monotonal understanding of the composition and reviews evidence that the demonstrated multi-tonal coherence is part of the musical reality of the work. / Arts, Faculty of / Music, School of / Graduate

Robert Schumann's D-minor Symphony endured harsh criticism during the second half of the nineteenth century because of misunderstandings regarding his compositional approach to the genre of the symphony; changes in performance practices amplified the problems, leading to charges that Schumann was an inept orchestrator. Editions published by Clara Schumann and Alfred Dörffel as well as performing editions prepared by Woldemar Bargiel and Gustav Mahler reflect ideals of the late nineteenth century that differ markedly from those Schumann advanced in his 1851 autograph and in the Symphony's first publication in 1853. An examination of the manuscript sources and the editions authorized by Schumann reveals that he imbued the Symphony with what he called a "special meaning" in the form of an implied narrative. Although Schumann provided no written account of this narrative, it is revealed in orchestrational devices, particularly orchestration, dynamics, and articulation, many of which have been either altered or suppressed by later editors. A reconsideration of these devices as they are transmitted through the authorized sources permits a rediscovery of the work's special meaning and rectifies long-standing misperceptions that have become entrenched in the general literature concerning Schumann in general and the D-minor Symphony in particular.

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Composed in 1927 and dedicated to Segovia, Ponce's Sonata III, one of the staples of the classical guitar repertoire, is the focus of this paper. To put this piece into proper perspective among Ponce's other works, biographical information leading up to the composition of the piece is presented first. Each of the three movements is then analyzed with regard to formal construction as well as harmonic and melodic language. Analysis is an important precursor to actually playing the piece, as Sonata III is a work that departs from Ponce's previous compositional style. The main portion of this paper addresses the preparation and interpretation of Sonata III. The insight gained through initial analysis of the piece is used to arrive at a musically satisfying interpretation of the work. Specific performance suggestions are included. Technical issues are addressed and possible solutions are presented. Alternate fingerings are provided to alleviate some of the common technical challenges the guitarist will encounter. A transcription and discussion of the Segovia revisions are also present. The paper concludes with general suggestions for improving performance that would be applicable to other works for guitar as well. This synthesis of biographical information, analysis, editorial options and performance suggestions, has hitherto never been never been done for this great work.

The focus of this study is to provide a clear understanding of Vaughan Williams' Violin Concerto in D Minor. In terms of form and compositional technique, this concerto is particularly challenging, because of Vaughan Williams' use of rhythmic motives and modes. This study is undertaken through an analysis. For a better understanding, a historical background, including overall form of each movement and key relationships, is explored and discussed. Then, Vaughan Williams' use of a ritornello-like motive, melody and modality as unifying elements is also identified and examined. In identifying the major features of Vaughan Williams' compositional style of this violin concerto, musicians will be able to understand better his unique musical expression. This study may serve as an introduction to the music of Vaughan Williams for musicians and society worldwide. It is hoped that it will motivate all violinists to perform this concerto more frequently.

In recent years, Brahms’s music has begun to occupy a larger role in the consciousness of musicologists, and with this surge of interest came a refreshingly original approach to his music. Although the First Piano Concerto op. 15 of Johannes Brahms is a beloved part of the standard piano repertoire, there is a curious under-representation of the work through the lens of historical performance practice. This monograph addresses the various aspects that comprise a thorough performance practice analysis of the concerto. These include pedaling, articulation, phrasing, and questions of tempo, an element that takes on greater importance beyond just complicating matters technically. These elements are then put into the context of Brahms’s own pianism, conducting, teaching, and musicological endeavors based on first and second-hand accounts of the composer’s work. It is the combining of these concepts that serves to illuminate the concerto in a far more detailed fashion, and ultimately enabling us to re-evaluate whether the time honored modern interpretations of the work fall within the boundaries that Brahms himself would have considered effective and accurate. / Music Performance

The thesis speculates on the possible influence of Mozart's Requiem on Cherubini's Requiem in D Minor, concluding that Cherubini's setting of the Sequence ("Dies irae") was indeed influenced by Mozart's setting of this liturgical text both on the micro and macro levels.