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- The Four Dominating Elements in the Piano Literature of Sergei Prokofieff
- This paper analyzes the piano compositions of Sergei Prokofieff and identifies four elements evident in the literature: classicism, innovation, toccata, and lyricism. Elisabeth Euwer Roberts traces the history of his works and the evidence of these elements in them.
- A Comparison of Editions of Carl Maria von Weber’s Grand Duo Concertant, Op. 48, for Clarinet and Piano, With the Composer’s Autograph Score
- This paper compares various editions of Carl Maria Von Weber's Grand Duo Concertant, Op. 48, with the composer's original autograph score. Catherine E. Wood discusses how well these editions retained the composer's intentions, and which edition is the most accurate.
- A Style Comparison of the Piano and Organ Versions of Liszt’s Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H
- This paper analyzes the piano and organ versions of the Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H composed by Franz Liszt and provides a style comparison of the two. Jerry Glynn Smith also provides context for Liszt's work with the organ.
- A Stylistic Evaluation of Aaron Copland’s Piano Variations
- This paper evaluates the style of American composer Aaron Copland's Piano Variations. Philip Carey Jones discusses its position as a unique piece in twentieth-century piano literature and compares his work to that of other composers.
- A Survey of New Extensions of Clarinet Technique as They Appear in Four Published Works
- This paper explores the new extensions of clarinet technique in four published works, discussing the percussive effects, melodic effects, and multiple sounds that can be produced through these extensions. David R. Widder also explores the history of innovational solo clarinet works.
- Ultra-Rationality and Anti-rationality as Pre-compositional Techniques of the Twentieth Century
- Thesis analyzes the concepts of ultra-rationality and anti-rationality as pre-compositional techniques and then compares and contrasts the two. John W. Petersen discusses the development and use of the two techniques and their impact on the history of music.
- An Analysis of Method Books for the Bass Trombone
- This paper provides a survey and analysis of eight method books for the bass trombone. Robert G. Hurst describes each of these titles with detail and explores the methods discussed in the texts, as well as the history and construction of the bass trombone.
- The Liederkreis, Op. 39, by Robert Alexander Schumann
- This paper analyzes the music of the Liederkreis, Op. 39 to provide insight into the nature and style of the piece. Robert Farias Austin, Jr. explores the history of the German Lied and the life of the composer, Robert Alexander Schumann.
- The Physical Development of the Bassoon
- This paper explores the history of the bassoon and its construction. Bob A. Sparks analyzes its evolution over time, from the versions created in France and Germany to the bassoon of the twentieth century.
- Some Influences of French Classical Organ Music Upon the Chorale Partita Auf Meinen Lieben Gott by Georg Böhm
- This paper discusses how German composer Georg Böhm was influenced by French classical organ music, and how this style is reflected in Böhm's chorale partita Auf Meinen Lieben Gott.
- Beethoven: The "Eroica" Variations, Opus 35
- This paper discusses and analyzes Ludwig van Beethoven's "Eroica" Variations, Opus 35. Cynthia Hukill explores the significance of the "Eroica" as a ground-breaking expansion of the variation form.
- Four Chamber Arias of Vincenzo Bellini
- This paper explores the musical significance, history, and development of Vincenzo Bellini's four chamber arias. Nancy W. Barfield discusses the life of composer Vincenzo Bellini, his musical style, and the style of the arias themselves.
- The Elements of Early New Orleans Jazz
- This paper discusses the development of jazz that occurred in the Storyville district of New Orleans. Bernard Norman Rose explores the history of the area and the influences that resulted in a synthesis of music.
- The "Dante" Sonata: The Diabolical Liszt
- This paper describes the creation and impact of Franz Liszt's "Dante" Sonata. Bill Blaine gives historical context and elaborates on the literary and philosophical influences evident in the piece before providing an examination of the music.
- Unusual Double-Reed Bass Instruments: A Historical Survey
- Thesis provides a historical survey of unusual double-reed bass instruments. Carol E. North provides a historical overview before separating the instruments into those with a cylindrical bore and those with a conical bore and describing each in turn.
- The Coplas of Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
- This paper explores the composition and historical background of Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco's coplas. Molly J. McCoy discusses the composer's background, style, and influences, before examining each copla in turn.
- Claude Debussy and the Etude Tradition
- This paper discusses etudes and the history of their composition, focusing on the works of Claude Debussy in particular. Richard E. Roberson examines pieces from Douze Etudes Pour Le Piano, Book One, the difficulty of the etudes, and the problems they present.
- Brahms-Schumann Variations, Op. 9: A Significant Contribution Among Brahms’s Piano Compositions
- This paper analyzes the Variations on a Theme by Schumann, Op. 9, created by . Pamela S. Lee discusses the influence of Robert and Clara Schumann on Johannes Brahms and his music, evaluating the impact of the piece and its origin.
- Development of the Mozart Song
- This paper explores the lesser known songs Wolfgang Mozart composed for voice and keyboard and examines developments in harmony, melody, and style. Timothy G. Seelig traces the history of these songs, their structure and interpretation, and promotes study of the pieces.
- Ravel’s Jeux D’Eau; Masterpiece of Color and Pianism
- This paper discuss Maurice Ravel's Jeux d'eau and its accomplishment as one of the first piano solo compositions to reflect impressionistic techniques. Frederika E. Smith traces the history of Ravel's work and the originality of the Impressionism in his work.
- Alexander Glazounov and His Concerto in E-flat Major for Saxophone and String Orchestra
- This paper analyzes Alexander Glazounov's Concerto in E-Flat major for saxophone and string orchestra and explores the music and style of Alexander Glazounov. Robert E. Austin provides a complete listing of the composer's works as well as biographical details about his life.
- The Cantate Profane of Antonio Vivaldi: An Analysis and Evaluation
- This paper provides an in depth examination of the style and works of Antonio Vivaldi, particular his secular solo cantatas. Stephen J. Town also provides historical background about the development of the solo cantatas as well as the life of the composer Antonio Vivaldi.
- “Orchestral Pianism”
- This paper discusses the concept of "orchestral pianism" as a quality of composition that utilizes the piano's capability of imitating orchestral and vocal sounds. Patrick Widhalm explores the history of the concept, its roots, and the major composers whose writing employed this capability.
- A Study of the Folk-Song and Poetic Influences in the Piano Music of Brahms
- This paper highlight the history of the German folk-song and its influence on the work of composer Johannes Brahms. Barbara Gilbert Williams discusses the rise, fall, and rival of the folk-song as an art form and how it and poetry is incorporated into Brahms's compositions.
- John Harbison's The Flight into Egypt: An Analysis for Performance
- John Harbison's status as a significant contemporary American composer is confirmed by his numerous appointments, honorary degrees, and awards. He is the recipient of nearly every major composition award, with works performed by major orchestras and in important opera houses spanning the world. This paper examines in detail Harbison's most acclaimed choral work, the 1987 Pulitzer Prize-winning The Flight into Egypt. This study of the score is a "conductor's analysis," offering a musical guide for the conductor who seeks to perform this work. To provide a context for the discussion, Chapter 1 offers a brief biographical sketch of Harbison's life and career. Chapter 2 provides the analysis of the work and includes a history from commission to premier, a discussion of Harbison's selection of text, and an examination of the pitch organization which informs the piece. In Chapter 3, I present important rehearsal and performance implications to consider when undertaking a performance of the work. Interviews with two well-regarded conductors who have performed The Flight into Egypt, David Hoose and Patrick Gardner, and the composer himself, provide valuable insight into this discourse.
- Murger’s Scenes de la Vie de Boheme--Model for Puccini’s La Boheme
- This paper investigates Henri Murger's novel, Scenes de la Vie de Bohème, as a model for the opera composed by Giacomo Puccini La Bohème. Colleen Hughes Mallette discusses the historical background of the works and examines the music and story.
- Compositional Techniques Using the Clarinet in the Swing Period in Big Band Jazz
- This paper discusses the compositional techniques developed for the clarinet during the Swing period of big band jazz. Victor E. Wertz traces the history of big band jazz and highlights some major clarinetists and their performance techniques.
- The Influence of Schoenberg’s Tonal Language on Berg’s Four Pieces for Clarinet, Op. 5
- This paper explores the influence of composer Arnold Schoenberg's tonal language on the work of his pupil, Alban Berg, illustrated in Berg's Four Pieces for Clarinet, Op. 5. Beverly Ann Lavocat introduces the concept of atonality and provides a musical analysis of Berg's piece.
- The Use of the Brass Section in Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky
- Thesis examines the life of prolific composer Sergei Prokofiev and his work for the motion picture Alexander Nevsky. Gary Langford analyzes Prokofiev's use of the brass section in his compositions for the film.
- The Evolution of Violetta Valéry, La Traviata’s Heroine
- Thesis studies the music and content of the opera La Traviata, focuses on the evolution of its heroine, Violetta Valéry. Carolyn Sue Finley traces the history behind the story and its reflection in the music.
- Comparison of Bach’s Chaconne in D Minor for Solo Violin and Its Piano Transcription by Ferrucio Busoni (1866-1924)
- This paper provides an analysis of Johann Sebastian Bach's Chaconne in D minor for Solo Violin and its piano transcription by Ferrucio Busoni. Hsiao-Hung Ku highlights the value of transcribing music and compares the original work to its transcription.
- The Clarinet: Its Development and Influence in the Field of Jazz
- This paper identifies the major clarinetists who contributed to the development of jazz and the history of the jazz movement. Gary F. Hallquist traces the history of the clarinet in jazz from the beginnings in New Orleans to the late twentieth century, touching on the major events in the scene during this era.
- Karg-Elert’s Own Clues to the Thirty Caprices for Flute, Opus 107
- This paper discusses and analyzes the music and methodology of Sigfrid Karg-Elert's Thirty Caprices for Flute, Opus 107. Jon Novi examines how Karg-Elert provides clues and instruction in The Logical Development, a paper appended to the Thirty Caprices.
- Eclectic Style, the Essence of Originality in the Music of Francis Poulenc Discussed Through the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, 1949
- This paper analyzes Francis Poulenc's Concerto for Piano and Orchestra written in 1949. Deborah Lee Erftenbeck explores his eclectic style and the manner of its development, determining the originality of its nature and his works.
- An Assessment of the Role of James ”Jimmy” Blanton in the Development of Jazz Bass
- This paper evaluates the musical contributions of Jimmy Blanton to the history of jazz bass playing. Rex O. Bozarth investigates the development of the jazz bass throughout the twentieth century, the influences that impacted Blanton's style, and the musical innovations the performer introduced.
- The Three Leading Female Roles in Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss
- This paper discusses De Rosenkavalier, an opera written by Richard Strauss through collaboration with Hugo von Hofmannsthal, and its three leading female roles. Martha Hartman Whitmore divulges the historical background behind the work and compares the three soprano roles.
- The Vocal-Piano Relationship in Robert Schumann’s Music
- This paper highlights the relationship between the vocal and piano music created by composer Robert Schumann. Christina Finch provides an analysis of songful and literary allusion in his piano music and pianistic and instrumental allusion in his songs to draw a prominent connection.
- A Discussion of Four Cadenzas Written for the Beethoven Fourth Piano Concerto Opus 58
- This paper evaluates the style of four candezas written for the Beethoven Fourth Piano Concerto, Opus 58. Dennis W. Hay introduces the history of the cadenza before focusing on the works by the individual composers: Beethoven, Brahms, Medtner, and Casadesus.
- Family Roles and Personality Factors in First and Last Born Children of Alcoholic Parents
- This study focuses on alcoholism and intervention of alcoholism. Considering the vulnerability of children of alcoholic parents, the study examines personality development among first and last born children with an alcoholic parents.
- Effects of Counselor Religious Values on the Client's Perception of the Counselor
- This study made five hypotheses predictions to investigate the effects of counselor religious values on the client's perceptions of the counselor. The appendices included various information including the 5 counselors who were asked to evaluate another counselor on several different measures (playing as a possible client of the particular counselor).
- Social Discourse in the Savoy Theatre's Productions of The Nautch Girl (1891) and Utopia Limited (1893): Exoticism and Victorian Self-Reflection
- As a consequence to Gilbert and Sullivan's famed Carpet Quarrel, two operettas with decidedly "exotic" themes, The Nautch Girl; or, The Rajah of Chutneypore, and Utopia Limited; or, The Flowers of Progress were presented to London audiences. Neither has been accepted as part of the larger Savoy canon. This thesis considers the conspicuous business atmosphere of their originally performed contexts to understand why this situation arose. Critical social theory makes it possible to read the two documents as overt reflections on British imperialism. Examined more closely, however, the operettas reveal a great deal more about the highly introverted nature of exotic representation and the ambiguous dialogue between race and class hierarchies in late nineteenth-century British society.
- Critical Discussion of Pleroma: A Digital Drama and Its Relevance to Tragic Form in Music
- Pleroma is a digital drama: a work composed of digital animation combined with electroacoustic music, presenting an original dramatic narrative. Pleroma's dramatic elements evoke both the classical form of tragedy and the concept of perceptual paradox. A structural overview of the drama and its characters and a plot synopsis are given to provide context for the critical discussion. Analytical descriptions of Beethoven's Coriolan Overture Op.62 and Mahler's Symphony No. 9 are provided to give background on tragic form and Platonic allegory in music. An investigation into the elements discussed in the analysis of the instrumental works reveals several layers of possible interpretation in Pleroma. Dramatic elements allow for tragic narratives to be constructed, but they are complemented by character associations formed by pitch relationships, stylistic juxtapositions, and instrumentation. A copy of the dramatic text is included to supplement the multimedia production: http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc33228/
- Jonah's Prayer: a Composition for Solo Tenor, Mixed Chorus and Two Pianos
- Jonah's Prayer is a choral work for solo tenor, a mixed choir of not fewer than 30 members, two pianos and a few percussion instruments to be played by choir members. The piece lasts about 13 minutes; it is a work intended for church choir use but could be performed in other venues as well.
- Texas Middle School Choral Directors’ Beliefs About Repertoire Selection
- Secondary choral directors often demonstrate a wide variety of organizational, instructional, and musical skills to promote and nurture thriving programs. Among the many tasks executed, choosing repertoire might be viewed as one of the most important duties performed. Material chosen for study is often the vehicle through which curricular concepts are taught. Multiple factors might influence middle school choral directors’ beliefs about repertoire choices. Ironically, repertoire choices might or might not reflect educators’ actual teaching philosophies; nevertheless, these decisions could influence student learning. This study surveyed a stratified random sampling of Texas middle school choral directors who participated in the 2010 University Interscholastic League Concert and Sight-reading competition (n = 209). Seventy middle school choral directors participated in the study. Each director took an online survey and indicated the degree to which they agreed or disagreed with 14 statements concerning repertoire choice. Many of the belief statements showed teachers were overwhelmingly in concordance with their beliefs (92.9%). Results indicated that beliefs were similar, regardless of who chose the curriculum or the amount of discussion perceived in undergraduate training. The only belief statement that continually showed differences between teachers concerned students’ ability to vote on repertoire.
- Britten’s Op 47, Five Flower Songs: Breaking Trends in Analysis
- Benjamin Britten’s life and music have been the subject of study from early in his musical career. Current trends in psychological analysis of Britten’s music tend to focus on common themes, such as homosexuality, pacifism, the sense of the outsider, and the loss of innocence. Similarly, theoretical analyses tend either to provide general categorizations of the technical elements in Britten’s music or to apply a singular preconceived concept as a tool for understanding his compositions. These approaches have yielded significant information but leave aspects of Britten’s personality and music unilluminated. Britten’s Op. 47, Five Flower Songs, are a collection of five part songs for a cappella chorus that are often included within the canon of 20th century choral literature. This paper examines a new perspective on Britten’s music by examining the relationship between Britten’s friendships and their influence on his compositions. Through the examination of these relationships information is revealed that allows for a new method of analysis that is particularly relevant to the Five Flower Songs. The opus was dedicated to two botanists for the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary. Contained within specific movements are extra-musical references to scientific characteristics of the flowers that are the subjects of the texts. By examining this work and important connections between other friendships and his compositional output this paper demonstrates the validity of this perspective in analyzing Britten’s life and music.
- Blueline Concerto: Critical Essay
- The purpose of this critical essay is two-fold. First, the essay presents a detailed critical analysis of my original composition, Blueline Concerto for bass trombone and wind ensemble. Second, using Blueline Concerto, the essay presents preliminary findings of my study to develop an approach to composing that takes into account the musicians' health, specifically regarding noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Through various hypothesized composition- and orchestral-based approaches, I test effectiveness on changes in NIHL risk while also noting that artistic merit and compositional integrity is preserved.
- Selected Songs of Dan Beaty: Background, Analysis, and Performance Guide
- Dan Beaty (1937-2002) was a prolific composer, pianist, researcher, educator, and writer. His large compositional output included chamber works, choral works, songs, orchestral pieces, electronic music, and keyboard works. Beaty was well versed in traditional Western music as well as the more avant-garde and perplexing idioms of the twentieth century. Beaty's compositions reflect the many fascinating, if not always popular, musical trends of his time. His music encompasses styles from serial to jazz, shows compositional influences from Arnold Schoenberg to Indonesian music, and demonstrates thought-provoking and highly intellectual craftsmanship. This document explores several of Beaty's songs through a discussion of the composer's life and compositional process. Songs included in this document are Three Weeks Songs, October, November, A Sappho Lyric, Love Song, That Night When Joy Began, and War Lyrics. This document was written to accompany the author's DMA Lecture-Recital at the University of North Texas. Unfortunately, Beaty's vocal music was never published and is mostly unknown. One goal of the project was to initiate interest in Beaty's songs. Through this document, Lecture-Recital, and additional performances, considerable strides have been made to bring Beaty's songs to new audiences throughout the United States. In addition, the author has received permission from the Beaty family to publish Dan Beaty's songs.
- Krzysztof Penderecki’s Divertimento/suite for Cello Solo (1994-2013): a Stylistic Analysis and Performance Guide
- Penderecki made a tremendous variety of contributions to the cello repertoire. His profound respect for tradition and for his past is deeply appreciated by both performers and audiences. In each individual composition, he explored the cello’s sonorous possibilities and created a new technical and musical palette for the instrument. He worked with legendary, world-renowned cellists who not only gave the premieres of his works but also established deep friendships with him. The Divertimento/Suite for Cello Solo (1994-2013), a compilation of miniature movements, each with its sophisticated structure, demonstrates Penderecki’s three compositional style periods. Baroque and Romantic elements in each movement are achieved within their style characteristics. Penderecki’s Divertimento/Suite for Violoncello Solo is composed of eight contrasting movements that were written during a nineteen-year period. The work is characterized by a Neo-Romantic aesthetic and utilizes the cello’s dark lyrical tones with a variety of timbre and tonal contrasts. The purpose of the present study is to create a practical performance guide to this important musical work with a detailed stylistic, textural, and motivic analysis of all eight movements. Although there are many published documents and analyses of Penderecki’s orchestral, choral, chamber and other solo pieces, the Divertimento/Suite for Cello Solo has yet to be thoroughly researched and discussed in the extant cello literature. It is the lack of research concerning this work that prompts this important study. This analysis will serve to outline the unifying compositional procedures of the work and explain the special instrumental techniques employed. With its illustrations of the motivic, harmonic and the textural relationships of each movement, this study serves as a twentieth-century performance guide for the cello world.
- Gualterio Armando's 34 Canciones Hispanoamericanas Para Canto Y Piano: a Comprehensive Edition and an Analytical Study of the Work’s Thematic Unity, Chromaticism, and Use of Musical Quotations
- During the 1930s, German-born music critic and composer Gualterio Armando (1887-1973), formerly known as Walter Dahms, set to music thirty-four poems by some of the most important Hispano-American poets from the latter part of the nineteenth and first half of the twentieth century. In these songs, Armando tries to capture the spirit and idiosyncrasy of Hispano-American cultures while incorporating his own musical aesthetics. Armando’s 34 Canciones Hispanoamericanas para Canto y Piano (34 Hispano-American songs for voice and piano) display an original sound and style full of rhythms, shapes, colors, and textures found in the music of various Hispanic cultures. Nevertheless, the essence of these songs is deeply rooted in nineteenth-century German musical traditions. This eclecticism results in unique works that developed and evolved as reflections of their creator’s musical psyche. This dissertation presents an analytical study of selected songs from the 34 Canciones. The study focuses on three compositional aspects: unity within song cycles, chromaticism, and the use of pre-existing musical material. Since only one of the 34 Canciones has ever been published, this document also includes a complete edition of the thirty-four songs. Additionally, a significant part of the research incorporates a biographical sketch of the composer.