Much of the music of Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953) cannot be categorized as either tonal or atonal--elements of both compositional approaches are often evident. While systems of analysis for clearly tonal and atonal works are in general use by music theorists, the music of Prokofiev frequently cannot be suitably analyzed using these techniques alone. / Russian theorist Boleslav Yavorsky (1877-1942) developed a theory of music that includes both rhythmic and pitch-based aspects and pursues tonally-based phenomena in a unique way. In 1931 Yavorsky's theories were compiled by his student, Sergey Protopopov, into a text entitled The Elements of the Structure of Musical Speech and in 1978 it was translated into English by Gordon D. McQuere. In this text, Yavorsky's analytical techniques are applied to selected pieces (none by Prokofiev), but the simultaneous inclusion of both rhythmic and pitch-based elements results in a rather general description of the music. His theories, however, provide for the development of a more detailed analytical approach. / In this dissertation, greater attention to compositional detail has been accomplished by separating the rhythmic and pitch-based elements of Yavorsky's theories in order to more fully develop the latter. Three Prokofiev Visions Fugitives op. 17, nos, 5, 10, and 13, and one Sarcasm op. 22, no. 3, are analyzed by applying Yavorsky's systems, modes, and adaptations of other pitch-based aspects of his theories. / Corollaries to Yavorsky's theories based upon his principles are developed and explained. Most notable of these is a theory to incorporate "excluded tones" (tones not included in the systems pertaining to the apparent mode of a piece) into the modal hierarchy. Some of the pieces analyzed include reductions and the concept of the prolongation of tones using Yavorsky's theories as a basis is discussed. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-04, Section: A, page: 1146. / Major Professor: Jane Piper Clendinning. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1993.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_76901 |
| Contributors | Thibodeau, Michael James., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 287 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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