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Everyone dance: An analysis of Calvin Hampton's Five Dances for Organ

Calvin Hampton is an important figure in American music of the mid-to-late twentieth century. He was a composer of many genres, but was noted by his contemporaries as an organist and composer of hymn tunes and anthems. However, since his death in 1984, his organ works---particularly the Five Dances for Organ---have become well-known through recordings and artist recitals.
This detailed analysis of the dances begins with scenario interpretations for the titled dances. The following chapters analyze the elements that characterize these scenarios according to harmony, ostinato, development of ostinato material, and rhythmic devices. Concluding chapters explore Hampton's wide use of symmetry and the non-symmetrical programmatic significance of the final dance, Everyone Dance.
This document highlights Calvin Hampton's genius in combining artistic and intellectual craftsmanship with musicianship and personality in the Five Dances for Organ. With these delightful and virtuosic dances, he has bequeathed a fine twentieth century organ work to future generations.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:RICE/oai:scholarship.rice.edu:1911/18833
Date January 2005
CreatorsWalters, Elaine Evans
ContributorsBrandt, Anthony
Source SetsRice University
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis, Text
Format70 p., application/pdf

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