The lecture recital, presented on November 27, 1978, explored the method of "gracing" employed in the performance of solo violin sonatas in the first quarter of the eighteenth century as exemplified by an unpublished manuscript of the embellished version of Corelli's Sonata in E Major, Op. V, No. 11, by the English violinist Matthew Dubourg. A general comparison was made with other contemporary examples, including in particular Geminiani's "graced" version of Corelli's Sonata in A Major, Op. V, No. 9. Dubourg's manuscript was performed after the lecture.

The first three recitals contained solely performances of piano music. The first of these consisted of a Fantasy and a set of variations by Mozart, the Fantaisie in F minor by Chopin, and the Sonata in C minor by Schubert. The second recital contained an English Suite by J. S. Bach, two Etudes-Tableaux and two Preludes by Rachmaninoff, and the Piano Sonata of Ernest Bloch. The third recital consisted of four Sonatas by Scarlatti, a Fantasia (Variations) by the American composer, Ben Weber, a Sonata by Beethoven, Chose en soi and Pensée by Prokofieff, and a Polonaise by Liszt. The fourth recital was a lecture on symbolism in the Davidsbündler Dances of Schumann, examining various types of symbolism appearing in the Dances: use of quotations from his own and others' works, use of a motive based on the letters of a name, use of "stage directions," use of tonality as a symbol, use of word painting, and use of sound effects. The lecture was followed by a performance of this work.

The lecture recital was given April 10, 1978. The importance of symbolism in and its relation to the music in Messian's Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant Jésus was discussed. The following pieces from this work were performed: I. Regard du Pére; II. Regard de l'étoile; III. L'échange; VII. Regard de la Croix; VIII. Regard des hauters; XIII. Noël.

The lecture recital was given April 11, 1977. The subject was Eclectic Qualities of Zoltán Kodály's Sonata, Opus 8, for Solo Violoncello, and it included a discussion of rhythmic, melodic, harmonic, and formal qualities of the sonata along with conclusions and performance suggestions. The Kodály Sonata, Opus 8, was performed at the conclusion of the lecture.

A lecture recital was given on July 14, 1975. The violin sonatas of Charles Ives are a unique and innovative addition to the violin repertoire and capture the New England Transcendental movement of the early twentieth century. In addition to the lecture recital, three other public recitals were performed, including solo compositions for violin and chamber works including violin.

The lecture recital, given on April 18, 1983, began with biographical background that suggests the influences on the compositional development of both the composer, Charles Widor, and the poet, Paul Bourget, of the Chanons de mer. Songs were chosen to examine the characteristics that not only enhance Widor's poetic rendering, but impart to the Chansons de mer the more intellectual appeal often desired in today's concert repertoire.

The lecture recital, given April 13, 1981, began with biographical background for Busoni's compositional development leading to his mature style, as found in the Toccata, the Carmen Fantasy, and the Mephisto Waltz. The three works--an original composition, an operatic paraphrase, and a transcription from an orchestral score--were then detailed with emphasis placed primarily on Busoni's aesthetic ideals in relation to the three works.

The dissertation consists of four recitals: one chamber music recital, two solo recitals, and one lecture recital. The repertoire of these programs was chosen with the intention of demonstrating the capability of the performer to deal with problems arising in works of varying types and of different historical periods.

The lecture recital was given on April 18, 1974. Some Mendelssohn organ works in manuscript were performed during the lecture to illustrate Mendelssohn's indebtedness to baroque models and his evolution as an organ composer.

The lecture, given on August 3, 1981, consisted of a discussion of the circumstances surrounding the composition of K. 413, 414, and 415; of specific compositional characteristics pertaining to each; and of their relationship to Mozart's later piano concertos. Additionally, their orchestration, effect with string quartet, idiomatic piano writing, considerations for amateurs, and passages for connoisseurs were explored.