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Cross-Cultural Dialogue In Sound: An Analytical Exploration Of Tan Dun’S Elegy: Snow In June, Weipeng Liu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This dissertation explores Tan Dun’s cross-cultural synthesis in contemporary music, focusing on his work Elegy: Snow in June (1991) to illuminate his role in redefining global musical dialogues. Situating Tan Dun within the broader trajectory of Chinese-Western musical encounters, the research addresses gaps in existing scholarship by integrating historical, analytical, and performative perspectives. Through meticulous score analysis, cultural-historical contextualization, and insights from performance practice, the study reveals how Tan Dun hybridizes Chinese pentatonic modes with Western harmonic frameworks, subverts orchestral hierarchies through unique timbres (such as stones and paper), and synthesizes Beijing opera’s jinda, manchang (“hasty stroke with slow singing”) …

Avenue Breakdown: Black Music And The Recording Industry In Shreveport, 1948-1988, John Michael Shaw

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Although there has been some scholarship in regard to country music in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana, as well as research into the lives of Jimmie Davis and Huddie Ledbetter, no comprehensive research into the city’s rich Black music scene has heretofore existed. Furthermore, the area has been home to a number of Black artists about whom little has been written. This dissertation attempts to document Shreveport’s Black music scene, both in live performance and recording, during a forty-year period stretching from 1948 to 1988. These years interestingly coincide with the opening and closing of an iconic record shop and …

University Of Memphis Magazine, 2000 Fall

University of Memphis Magazine

Annual Report of the President.

Cover Story, "Celebrate The Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music" by Elizabeth Walker

The University's music program has a new name and an exciting future, thanks to a gift from Rudi Scheidt.

Also featured, "Celebrate Alumna Tina Santi Flaherty" by Benita Whitehorn

This alumna is giving back to her alma mater through the Legacy Scholarship campaign.

Memphis State Magazine, 06:04, 1987 Fall

Memphis State University Magazine

Cover Story, "Weighty Fears" By Les Seago MSU Research Reporter

Fear of fat fans the tobacco flame among many smokers who would like to quit, according to an MSU psychologist. Their fears may be justified, he says.

Also featured, "Saving the Blues" By Laurie Finn

Dr. David Evans researches the roots of regional music of the South. Dr. Steven Ross examines computer programs and the adaptation of mathematics instruction to microcomputers. Excellence is what their work has in common.

University Of Memphis Magazine, 2018 Fall

University of Memphis Magazine

Cover Story, "Cool Hand Luke" by Greg Russell

Hard work pays off for a recent University of Memphis graduate who accomplished something no one else at the UofM has done since 2005.

Also featured: The Columns Alumni Review

The Columns, 1978 July-August

The Columns

Cover Story, "Communication and Fine Arts" by Sandra Umfress

It has been a year since the College of Communication and Fine Arts was established at Memphis State University. The offspring of the College of Arts and Sciences, it has been busy taking root among the older and more recognized colleges of the University. Originated when the College of Arts and Sciences became too large with 18 departments encompassing a vast number of majors and over half the faculty, the young College is unique in its configuration of the journalism, theatre and communication arts, music and art departments, according to the …

Emporium By Aldo Lpez-Gaviln: A Declaration Of Unity, Dawson Andrew Hull

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Cuban pianist and composer Aldo Lpez-Gaviln is known for excelling in both classical and jazz worlds. He stands not only between two musical worlds, but also between Cuba and the United States, in the midst of their turbulent relationship. In 2017, he wrote and premiered his first piano concerto, Emporium, stating that the purpose of the work is to unify the world. He fosters this unity through the combination of music from different cultures and styles, including classical, Cuban, and jazz, and through the emphasis on musical unity seen in the form of work. The tensions between the United States …

Rodion Shchedrin's Five Concertos For Orchestra: Expressing Ensemble Virtuosity, Nadezda Potemkina

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This dissertation introduces the work of Russian composer Rodion Shchedrin (b. 1932), and examines his approach to the genre of concerto for orchestra. Chapter one provides a brief survey of the current state of research on concertos for orchestra, as well as the composer's biography, and an overview of his compositional style. Chapter two focuses on the 1960s, the period when the first two concertos were written. It begins with an outline of the cultural and political climate that might have influenced the two pieces, and proceeds with the analysis of the Concerto for Orcehstra no. 1, the most popular …

"Mr. Furry's Blues": The Life, Music, And Legacy Of Furry Lewis, Jamison Tyler Fritts

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This dissertation provides in-depth critical analysis of Memphis blues musician Furry Lewis's (1899-1981) life, music, and legacy. I rely on archival research, ethnographic fieldwork, and musical and technical analysis to answer a few key questions: 1) Who was Furry Lewis?; 2) Why does his music sound the way it does?; and 3) What impact does he have on current Memphis musicians? Drawing on Henry Lewis Gates, Jr.'s literary critique of the African and Afro-Diasporic legend of Esu-Elegbara, I explore the relationship between Lewis's known biography and the complex web of myths that surround him. I then examine the ways in …

Sound Divide: American Popular Music's Response To The "War On Terror" During The George W. Bush Administration, Sarah Jean Dietsche

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

On September 11, 2001, members of Congress, standing in front of the Capitol building, spontaneously broke out into a heartfelt version of "God Bless America." From that day on, music played an important role in society as related to 9/11 and the subsequent War on Terror. It is my intention to provide an extended deliberation on the conspicous and varied popular music of this era. By studying post-9/11 musicians and musical expression during the George W. Bush administration, we can develop an understanding of the culture within which they emerged and place this understanding within a broader historical context. I …

Pancho Vladigerov's Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 31 In B Flat Minor: A Representative Work Of The Golden Period In Bulgarian Art Music, Lora Geteva Gubanov

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The purpose of this document is to provide a better understanding of Pancho Vladigerov's influence on Bulgarian art music, as well as to contribute to the growing interest in his music and in Bulgarian art music in general. The focus of discussion is the years 1932-1939, referred to as the Golden period of Bulgarian art music. Pancho Vladigerov's Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 31 serves as a representative work of the achievements during this period. Chapter One provides a brif summary of the historic significance of the Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 31. Chapter Two focuses of the socio-cultural, economic, …

Meeting At A Crossroad: Traditional Irish Music And Classical Music Taught In The Same Space, Heather Ann Martin Bixler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The introduction of traditional Irish music to this classical violinist set me on a path of discovery that challenged my listening, my conception, and consequently my performance of classical music. Convinced that this progress in my playing could perhaps be useful to other violinists and musicians in general, I proposed a program for American universities where traditional Irish music is taught alongside Western classical music. I investigate techniques unique to the violin such as bow triplets and articulation, as well as explore areas that apply to all musicians such as tonality/intonation, and improvisation. The second chapter examines in detail the …

Three Folk Music Suites From Romania And "Hora Furtuna" By Grigoras Dinicu, Arranged For String Quartet, Vasilica Ionut Cosarca

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Folk music represents an important part of the national heritages of most cultures around the world. Today the typical folk ensemble includes a combination of traditional and modern instruments, and performances are given to accompany important life events (birth, marriage, death) or at music festivals dedicated to the genre. However, traditional music is very rarely performed in the concert hall, mostly because of the lack of literature. This compilation comes as a response to the string quartets who may wish to explore new possibilities and add authentically sounding pieces to their repertoire.The selections in this book are designed to challenge …

The Piano Music Of Jose Montserrat Maceda, Frances Alfaras Niduaza

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The obscurity of Maceda's piano works led to this study; ergo this will contribute to their understanding and significance. His "Two Pianos, Four Winds," composed in 1996 for clarinet, bassoon, horn, trombone, and two pianos, will be the focus of this study. His other piano works, "Music for Five Pianos," (1994), "Music for Two Pianos and Four Percussions," (2000), and "Sujeichon - A Korean Court Music for Four Pianos," (2002), will be briefly discussed. In order to fully comprehend the conceptual framework of his compositions, one has to be cognizant of his discourse, i.e., the influences of Western European avant-garde, …

"Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares": Folk Music Transcriptions For Trombone Choir, James John Albrecht

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Current trombone choir repertoire consists almost entirely of western classical and jazz music. Missing from the trombone ensemble's repertoire are works from outside western choral, symphonic, and jazz idioms and particularly folk music. The addition of Bulgarian folk music contributes to a much needed variety in the current trombone choir repertoire. The use of any ethnic or nationalistic music has both educationaland aesthetic value. Like all well-conceived trombone choir music, these Bulgarian folk transcriptions in this paper aid in the development of chamber music skills. This document will discuss how Bulgarian folk music is a good source for trombone choir …

Songs From A Distant Memory: A Study Of Bright Sheng's Four Movement For Piano Trio And Tibetan Dance, Angela On Yee Wong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Bright Sheng (1955-) is a contemporary Chinese composer whose music spans Chinese and Western culture. The two piano trios chosen for this project, Four Movements for Piano Trio and Tibetan Dance, have not been thoroughly discussed and analyzed. Sheng's chamber music deserves academic attention because of his creative integration of Chinese and Western culture in his compositions. He fuses Chinese musical elements such as heterophony, pentatonic scales, and Chinese folksongs within the Western genres and structure. He vividly captures the spirit of Chinese music with a contemporary flavor, thus creating his own musical language. This paper will begin with an …

The Persistence Of "Dr. Watts" In The Core Culture African American Churches In The Memphis Area, Brent Virgil Buhler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

In the mid-eighteenth century, Rev. Samuel Davies introduces slaves to an now archaic form of English Hymnody,which became known as "Dr. Watts." Isaac Watts, Charles and John Wesley, John Newton,and Horatius Bonar, among others wrote many of these hymns. Nearly three hundred years later "Dr. Watts" continues atweekly worship services as an essential component in stabilizing, strengthening, and bringing peace and comfort to many core culture African Americans. The traditionis under-studied inmuch of theUnited States, especially in the Memphia Area. The purpose of this thesis is to confirm the musical characteristics, performance practices, and examine some of the motivations that …

I Belong To The Band: The Music Of Reverend Gary Davis, William Lee Ellis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

“I Belong to the Band” is the first extensive analytical examination of the music of guitarist/singer Reverend Gary Davis (1896-1972), whose vast repertoire and instrumental virtuosity made him a favorite performer and teacher during the folk and blues revival. Discussed in detail are his songs and aspects of musical technique as well as larger issues such as appropriation in traditional song, the interplay of sacred and secular content and style in African American song, the role(s) of blindness in musical culture, and contrastive and associative symmetries in blues performances. To better glean Davis’s music and the world in which he …

December 1994

Shake, Rattle & Roll

The December 1994 issue featured Calvin Newborn, Herman Green, and Bubba Feathers.

November 1994

Shake, Rattle & Roll

The November 1994 issue featured Big Ass Truck and Blind Mississippi Morris

October 1994

Shake, Rattle & Roll

The October 1994 issue featured Todd Snider, Jerry Hayes, and Brody Buster.

September 1994

Shake, Rattle & Roll

The September 1994 issue featured Funkahawlikz.

August 1994

Shake, Rattle & Roll

The August 1994 issue featured Dan Penn and an article about the day Elvis met President Nixon.

July 1994

Shake, Rattle & Roll

The July 1994 issue featured Little Jimmy King, Preston Shannon, and Impala.

June 1994

Shake, Rattle & Roll

The June 1994 issue featured an article about Memphis musicians who had moved to Nashville.

May 1994

Shake, Rattle & Roll

The May 1994 issue featured the Mother Station.

April 1994

Shake, Rattle & Roll

Vol. III, no. 11 previewed the Crossroads 1994 music festival.

March 1994

Shake, Rattle & Roll

Vol. III, no. 10 focused on the hard rock and rap scenes in Memphis (e.g., Al Kapone and Son of Slam), as well as a spotlight on FreeWorld.

February 1994

Shake, Rattle & Roll

Vol. III, no. 9 featured post-Phineas Newborn Memphis pianists—Donald Brown, James Williams, Harold Mabern, and Mulgrew Miller—and guitarist Little Jimmy King.

January 1994

Shake, Rattle & Roll

Vol. III, no. 8 featured Wendy Moten and the Village People.