This dissertation presents an analysis of Akrodha (1998), a multiple percussion solo in two movements, composed by Kevin Volans. The analysis is focused on the motivic content and subsequent iterations written within the tempos that provide the structural form of the piece. The structural tempos are supported by the presence of various motifs that serve as the tempos' characteristic traits, thereby giving the tempos more tangibility. As the work develops, these motifs reappear either as note-for-note reiterations or as variations that still maintain the unique qualities of the motifs. For comparison, similar analyses of Mr. Volans' other multiple percussion solos, She Who Sleeps with a Small Blanket (1985) and Asanga (1997), are also presented to further explore Mr. Volans' use of motifs as they relate to structural tempos. In addition, a comprehensive performance practice of Akrodha is presented based on a synthesis of considerations and methods from individuals involved in the piece's development and early performances. These include Dr. Volans himself, Jonny Axelsson (for whom Akrodha was written), and Robyn Schulkowsky (for whom She Who Sleeps with a Small Blanket and Asanga were written), as well as the author's personal experiences. This dissertation provides a deeper understanding of Akrodha for the scholar and provides performance guidance for the performer to enhance the ability to replicate the musical spirit of Kevin Volans' compositional intentions.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-08-07Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:48:36Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 mannis_gdb_me_ia.pdf: 3194427 bytes, checksum: 2374fc542cb39f88a904a9fe24e7d7ef (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O presente trabalho de mestrado tem como seu principal objetivo demonstrar que a aplicação de diferentes métodos analíticos a uma mesma obra e sua posterior comparação é uma metodologia eficaz para o estudo da linguagem musical, em particular de uma obra específica e que, através deste procedimento, informações de interesse teórico e interpretativo, que vão além da aplicação isolada de cada método, podem ser alcançadas. Para tanto, foi feita a análise de um movimento de grande duração inserido em uma obra extensa, composta pelo austríaco Gustav Mahler (1860-1911): a Sinfonia nº3. Sobre esta obra foram realizadas três análises: formal segundo Schoenberg e Rosen; motívica, segundo Réti; e schenkeriana, segundo Salzer.Os métodos foram comparados entre si, de modo a identificarem-se as convergências e divergências entre eles; com base nas divergências e convergências, foramindicadas possibilidades de leitura da obra. Ao final, estes resultados foram confrontados com gravações realizadas por grandes orquestras, tendo à frente regentes reconhecidos como grandes intérpretes da obra de Mahler, verifinco como foram solucionados os problemas de divergência analítica e observando, ainda, se as convergências podem ser confirmadas em suas interpretações. / The present Master's Degree dissertation seeks to demonstrate that the utilization of different analytical methods to a single opus, and their posterior comparation, in an efficient method for the study of musical language, particularly of an specific opus, and that, through this procedure, information on theoretical and interpretative interest that go beyond the isolated utilization of each method can be reached. Therefore, three analysis of the first movement of Gustav Mahler's 3rd Symphony were made. The three analysis were; formal, according to Schoenberg and Rosen; motivic according to Réti; and schenkerian, according to Salzer. The methods were compared to each other so it would be possible to identify similarities and differences amont them. Then, based on these similarities and differences, possibilities of reading of the work were indicated. In the end, these results were confronted with recording made by great orchestras, conducted by great maestros well-known as great interpreters of Mahler's opus, verifying how the problems of analytical diffrences were resolved and observing as well if the similarities coud be confirmed in their interpretations.

Saxophonist Chris Cheek has been a reference for his work as a sideman with some of the most established jazz artists in the international jazz scene of the last twenty-five years. Despite his importance, there is lack of detail in the available publications about Cheek. The short length and journalistic character of the publications only produce surface descriptions of Cheek's style. There is a need to further describe the melodic elements present in Chris Cheek's style in order to have a better understanding of the implications and importance of these elements across the history of jazz saxophone and jazz pedagogy. In the past, several scholarly works have described the improvisational styles of jazz musicians using a multitude of analytical tools. The design of those studies often fails to provide a comprehensive view of the improviser's style because of the limited scope of the analyzed sources or the specific focus of the analysis. This analytical study presents a comprehensive view of Chris Cheek's style through the motivic and voice-leading analyses of six improvisations by the saxophonist. This design allows the study to discern between motivic development processes, melodic structures, formulaic material, and harmonic structures that belong to the saxophonist's idiom. By presenting the elements in Cheek's style, this study is able to show the importance of motivic and voice-leading coherence in jazz pedagogy as well as the importance of Cheek's style as a reference for lyricism.

This dissertation aims to examine the motivic voice leading of the first two movements of Korngold's Violin Concerto, Op. 35 to illuminate the interwoven motives within the underlying structures of the movements. The analysis principally concentrates on two main motives: the motivic tritone and rising-third motives. Moreover, the analysis of Korngold's motivic writing further investigates the semantics that are evoked by the technical aspects. With his exceptional ability to interconnect music to narratives both in operas and films, Korngold never ceased to express the recurring themes of love and revival also in his instrumental music. It is noteworthy that he borrowed only the "love themes" from his film scores for the first two movements of the violin concerto. The violin concerto was the first work written after Korngold returned to absolute music after a decade of composing for films to ensure his and his family's survival during the war. After the Anschluss, during his exile in California as a Jewish refugee, Korngold's love for his homeland Austria, his philanthropic concern for humanity, and longing for peace became his primary focus; these concerns are reflected in his Violin Concerto through his use of specific motives. By researching the historical and biographical materials, as well as employing linear analysis, this study seeks to explore the meanings of the linear motives in Korngold's music; more specifically, it attempts to show how particular motivic figures and tonal structures express the composer's ideas of transcendental "love." It argues that an in-depth understanding of both the technical and semantic aspects is also the first and foremost requirement for performing this piece.

According to the American League of Orchestras' most recent report, Michael Daugherty is one of the ten most performed American composers of concert music in modern times. He has received six GRAMMY awards, including awards for Best Contemporary Classical Composition in 2011 and 2017. Characteristics of Daugherty's music are diverse: colliding tonalities and blocks of sound, driving polyrhythmic counterpoint, and jazz and pop elements. His music can be minimalistic at times and at others, stirringly melodic. Amongst this eclecticism, a fascination with American iconography remains a consistent hallmark of his music, exemplified by titles such as American Gothic, Jackie O, or Lost Vegas. Daugherty has stated that his goal is to create sophisticated, abstract music that is also catchy or memorable, with melodies and cultural allusions that audiences can "hang their hat on." Despite widespread success, relatively little scholarly work has been done on Daugherty's music, providing an opportunity for further research. The primary goal of this study is to add to the literature on Michael Daugherty by providing an analysis and conductor's guide of his first choral-orchestral work, Mount Rushmore. It is a genuine show piece, galvanizing and colorful, modestly demanding of the listener, and appreciated by individuals of diverse musical backgrounds. The work also contains multitudes, offering layers of musical complexity and extensive historical symbolism for those who wish to engage further. Daugherty's Mount Rushmore offers immediate appeal and an excellent return on investment. Using interviews with the composer as well as detailed formal, harmonic, and historical-textual analysis, this paper provides in-depth information and guidance to future conductors who wish to present an appealing choral-orchestral work by a prominent, living American composer. Conductors who program Daugherty's Mount Rushmore will find it valuable for their ensemble and community for years to come.

"Natural Disasters" is a cycle of five extractable movements for septet, conductor and computer. Each movement in the cycle is inspired by the ways that humans are affected by and respond to five different classes or categories of natural disasters: meteorological, such as hurricanes, tornados, and haboobs; geological, like earthquakes and landslides; hydrological, including flooding and sea level rise; wildfires; and extra-planetary disasters such as meteors and solar flares. The disaster types are used as overarching themes and also as sources for the organization of the movements and their surface details. This paper presents an overview of the conception and organization of cycle, the themes addressed in each movement and the compositional techniques used. The history of composers using weather or disaster-related themes in prior music is reviewed, and a survey of contemporary disaster-related compositions is presented.

This study explores text and music relations in Canadian composer Violet Archer’s “The Twenty-Third Psalm” by analysing the text of Psalm 23, Fibonacci numbers, melodic contours, motives, and the role of the accompaniment. The text focuses on David’s faith in God and his acceptance of God as his shepherd on earth. The four other approaches allow us to examine the work on three different structural levels: background through Fibonacci numbers, middleground through melodic contour analysis, and foreground through motivic analysis and the role of the accompaniment. The measure numbers that align with Fibonacci numbers overlap with some of the melodic contour phrases, which are demarcated by rests, as well as with the most important moments at the surface level, such as the emphasis on the word “death” through recurring and symbolic motives. The piano accompaniment further supports these moments in the text.

This study explores text and music relations in Canadian composer Violet Archer’s “The Twenty-Third Psalm” by analysing the text of Psalm 23, Fibonacci numbers, melodic contours, motives, and the role of the accompaniment. The text focuses on David’s faith in God and his acceptance of God as his shepherd on earth. The four other approaches allow us to examine the work on three different structural levels: background through Fibonacci numbers, middleground through melodic contour analysis, and foreground through motivic analysis and the role of the accompaniment. The measure numbers that align with Fibonacci numbers overlap with some of the melodic contour phrases, which are demarcated by rests, as well as with the most important moments at the surface level, such as the emphasis on the word “death” through recurring and symbolic motives. The piano accompaniment further supports these moments in the text.

This study explores text and music relations in Canadian composer Violet Archer’s “The Twenty-Third Psalm” by analysing the text of Psalm 23, Fibonacci numbers, melodic contours, motives, and the role of the accompaniment. The text focuses on David’s faith in God and his acceptance of God as his shepherd on earth. The four other approaches allow us to examine the work on three different structural levels: background through Fibonacci numbers, middleground through melodic contour analysis, and foreground through motivic analysis and the role of the accompaniment. The measure numbers that align with Fibonacci numbers overlap with some of the melodic contour phrases, which are demarcated by rests, as well as with the most important moments at the surface level, such as the emphasis on the word “death” through recurring and symbolic motives. The piano accompaniment further supports these moments in the text.

Orientador: Yara Borges Cáznok / Resumo: O objeto de pesquisa desta Tese é o 2 o . Concerto para Piano e Orquestra de Béla Bartók (1881-1945), composto em 1931. Após a contextualização da obra, apresentamos uma análise musical. Nossa perspectiva dialoga com duas principais correntes analíticas: a Teoria da Forma Sonata (Hepokoski e Darcy, Caplin e Schmalfeldt) e as Teorias Pós-tonais (Antokoletz e Straus). A análise concentrou-se no 1 o . Movimento que, segundo o compositor, possuiria a Forma Sonata. Partindo desta declaração, procuramos compreender como opera, formalmente, a dinâmica entre ideias temáticas, motivos, coleções referenciais, relações contrapontísticas e texturais, e direcionalidade. O modelo da Forma Sonata foi colocado em discussão, realçando seus limites, sua maleabilidade e seus pontos de tensão, à luz dos procedimentos formais encontrados neste 1 o . Movimento. Os resultados analíticos descritos textualmente apresentam-se sintetizados por meio de gráficos, considerados parte integrante do procedimento metodológico. / Abstract: Béla Bartók’s (1881-1945) Concerto No. 2 for Piano and Orchestra, composed in 1931, is the primary focus of this thesis. Following the contextualization of the work, we present a musical analysis. Our aim is to bring together two analytical currents: the Sonata Theory (Hepokoski and Darcy, Caplin and Schmalfeldt) and Post-tonal Theories (Antokoletz and Straus). The analysis focuses on the First Movement, which according to the composer, is in Sonata Form. Based on his statement, we intend to understand how thematic ideas, motifs, referential collections, counterpoints, directionality, and texture interact against a formal background. We discuss the Sonata Form, highlighting its limitations, malleability, and points of tension, in light of the formal procedures found in the First Movement. The descriptions of analytical results are supported by graphs, which are considered an integral part of the methodology. / Doutor