This DMA portfolio contains materials and a written critical commentary relating to the work I have completed towards a Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance degree at the University of Salford. The concept behind this study is born of a concern that the euphonium can be seen as culturally ‘standing still’, an instrument featured within traditional band concerts, with an important historical yet limited repertoire, and one that has successfully carved only a few further artistic outlets. Often new solo works can be heavily influenced by the tradition of the virtuoso euphonium soloist, sometimes using identical templates and compositional forms of popular works from the past. This research is an exploration of how the euphonium as a solo instrument can be presented in new and varied musical environments, moving it away from the shackles of tradition and towards a broader musical plane. I also hope this approach can potentially create more varied performance opportunities which attract a wider range of listeners. The work explores repertoire that is innovative within the euphonium’s natural musical habitats, as well as repertoire that frames the instrument in surroundings it is rarely associated with. This is presented through commissions, adaptations of existing repertoire, premières and commercial recordings. The work also endeavours to ensure that the new repertoire output is widely available and accessible for euphonium players worldwide by working with a music publisher with international reputation, marketing and distribution facilities. This submission adds significant new works to the substantially limited solo repertoire of the euphonium and explores new areas of artistic output, which I hope other performers and composers will be able develop after this study period is over.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:658733 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | Thornton, David Thomas |
| Publisher | University of Salford |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://usir.salford.ac.uk/34993/ |
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