Music Performance Commons^™

A Performance Guide To “Four Piano Pieces, Opus 1” By Evgeny Kissin, Andrew Choi

Theses and Dissertations

This document provides a performance guide to Evgeny Kissin’s Four Piano Pieces, Opus 1. Although more musicians are becoming familiar with his compositions, there are no comprehensive scholarly resources available about this work. This document aims to provide that needed resource.

Evgeny Igorevich Kissin (b.1971) is a Russian-born internationally acclaimed pianist. He achieved stardom with a performance featuring the two piano concerti by Frederic Chopin in 1984. The event was recorded live and released as an album by RCA Victor. Since then, he has been in constant demand all over the world. Although he mainly performs, he occasionally composes as …

An Analysis Of The Compositional Technique And Structures Of Nikolai Kapustin’S Piano Sonata No. 6, Opus 62, Hyun Jung Im

Theses and Dissertations

The subject of this study is the Russian composer and pianist Nikolai Kapustin and an analysis of his Piano Sonata No. 6, Opus 62. Kapustin’s musical output includes 161 opus numbers, and the works are mainly in a hybrid style combining jazz and traditional Western music. The composition style of Kapustin is to take a jazz approach to harmony and rhythm within traditional forms. The uniqueness and creativity of Kapustin’s music led to its growing popularity, and this has been evident in several ways, including increased performances, recordings, and publications. Based on this fusion of jazz and traditional Western music, …

A Performance Guide To Hyo-Geun Kim’S Art Pop For Korean Art Songs, Taeyoung Seon

Theses and Dissertations

This document contains information about instructions regarding singing with Korean diction for Korean Art songs by a gifted Korean composer, Kyo-geun Kim. He is now a Professor of Business at Ewha Women’s University in the Republic of Korea. The writer offers a brief biography of Kim as a composer and a scholar of music and business. This document will help anyone who would like to learn Korean diction for singing Korean Art Song, particularly, Hyo-geun’s Art Pop Art Songs such as Snow, A Thousand Winds, and What Though Life Conspires to Cheat You. The works are termed ART POP, it …

Margaret Rowell: Pedagogical Approach And Teaching Style, Robert-Christian Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations

While there are numerous biographical details about Margaret Avery Rowell’s life, few details exist about her pedagogy. The current researcher interviewed and subsequently analyzed transcripts from eight of Rowell’s former students to reconstruct her pedagogical approach and teaching style. The researcher’s questions were: 1) How did Rowell structure individual lessons and student development? 2) What were the recurring concepts within Rowell’s principles? 3) What exercises did Rowell use to teach her principles? 4) What personal and pedagogical qualities made Rowell an effective teacher and influence on her students?

Based on the interviews, Rowell tailored her approach to each student without …

A Pedagogical Analysis Of Henglu Yao’S Microkosmos From Chinese Nationalities, Yanting Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Microkosmos from Chinese Nationalities (2017) is a collection of twenty-four piano solo pieces composed by Henglu Yao (b. 1951), a composer who combines ideas of cultural awareness and comprehensive musicianship in this set. This collection’s unique language, musical design, and Chinese music elements provide learners with a multicultural experience. In addition, pianists are able to explore and apply various music theory knowledge and improve technical and musical skills through this collection.

This study analyzed each piece from a pedagogical perspective to provide a guide for pianists to learn and perform this collection, to present value and potential for teaching and …

Quantitative Data Collection On The Fundamental Components Of Saxophone Tone Production, Matthew Troy Castner

Theses and Dissertations

Wind instrument pedagogy has historically been limited by the inability to collect quantitative data on the relationships and impact of different elements of tone production. This study collected and analyzed data on three of the fundamental components of saxophone tone production: embouchure pressure, air velocity, and air direction. The results help build a better understanding of the inner workings of producing a characteristic saxophone sound.

Six classical alto saxophone players completed a variety of exercises to isolate and measure each of these components. The data was collected using a force-sensitive resistor and a pitot tube, each connected to an Arduino …

An Annotated Bibliography Of Flute Repertoire By Iranian Female Composers, Roya Farzaneh

Theses and Dissertations

Compositions by Iranian female composers have rarely been explored or documented. The purpose of this research is to create an annotated bibliography of works by Iranian female composers written for flute. This document will serve as a reference of flute literature for scholars, teachers, and performers to encourage the performance of music composed by Iranian women. Through this research, I hope to increase the exposure of these compositions and amplify interest in performing works written by underrepresented composers.

The annotated bibliography lists information about the repertoire including instrumentation, compositional year, length of piece, publishing, available recordings, commission information, a pedagogical …

A Conductor’S Guide To J. N. Hummel’S Forgotten Oratorio: Der Durchzug Durchs Rote Meer, Rebecca J. Ostermann

Theses and Dissertations

Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s only oratorio, Der Durchzug durchs rote Meer, was lost to the musical world until around 2004. Hummel (1778–1837) was greatly esteemed during his life as a concert pianist and as a composer, and several of his choral works were among those highly regarded by his contemporaries. Interest in his works, along with Hummel scholarship, has increased in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Hummel’s oratorio is for Classical orchestra plus guitar, harp, and bass drum, four to ten vocal soli, and chorus. Its thirteen numbers run about 51 minutes, recounting the biblical story of Moses and Pharaoh, the …

Adele Aus Der Ohe: Pioneering Through Recital Programming At Carnegie Hall, 1895, Grace Shepard

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this investigation is to focus on the career and times of Adele aus der Ohe and piano performance in the Gilded Age United States. Carnegie Hall, founded in 1891, was one of the first major halls that witnessed and documented solo piano recital programming. Through analysis of Adele aus der Ohe’s programs intended for Carnegie Hall, it is possible to understand some of the complexities surrounding the solo recital, piano performance, and audience culture at the turn of the 20^th century.

Focus on Adele aus der Ohe allows further understanding of her legacy and contribution to …

Disparities In Programming African American Solo Vocal Music On College Campuses Across The United States, Ramelle Brooks

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the representation of African American composers within the solo vocal literature genre of classical music. Literature suggests the music of African American composers is seldom taught in classical musical studies. The study explored one publicly available college recital database from each U.S. geographical region (Northeast, Midwest, South, West), which included listings of songs performed at each recital. The researcher recorded the number of recitals including African American composers and provided a numerical breakdown of song genres associated with African American Americans that included African American arts songs, Spirituals, Blues, Gospel, Jazz, and operatic arias. The number of …

The Apprenticeship Structure And The Applied Pedagogical Methods Of The Holy Roman Empire Imperial Trumpeters’ Guild During The 17Th And 18Th Centuries, Noa Miller

Theses and Dissertations

The Imperial Trumpeters’ Guild of the 17th and 18th centuries Holy Roman Empire implemented a remarkable and effective training program for its apprentices: an expedited two-year apprenticeship structure with a seven-year journeyman period when the training was applied. Studying the structure of the apprenticeship and how the expedited system was implemented gives a new insight into an effective and efficient teaching model. This training regimen was made possible because apprentices received the necessary musical foundation and pedagogical methods through attending the Latin school. This is evidenced through analysis and comparison of the Latin school primers (textbooks) and the trumpet treatises, …

Composers And Publishers Of Parlor Songs And Spirituals From Civil War Richmond: 1861 – 1867, Michael Gray

Theses and Dissertations

This document is an historical compendium of how Richmond, Virginia contributed to a significant shift in early American music during and after the American Civil War. Firstly, we will explore the music industry practices of the 1850’s and 1860’s in Richmond, and how they were a reflection of the rest of the American South at that time. Secondly, we will explore the height of parlor song repertoire in the South, its technical simplicity, and use as a tool for music education, artistic expression, but perhaps most notably as a means of informal propaganda for the Confederate cause. Finally, we will …

Transcribing Baroque Lute To Marimba: Viability, Techniques, And Pedagogical Possibilities, Cory James High

Theses and Dissertations

Transcriptions and adaptations of works originally composed for other instruments are commonplace within the current marimba repertoire. Marimbists have been borrowing repertoire from other instruments and transcribing or arranging them for performance on the marimba due to the relative youth of the instrument. These adaptations began as a necessity, but they are still often programmed due to their popularity, and because many academic institutions require the performance of era-specific works or works by certain composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, and no literature was composed for the marimba during those times.

Source instruments for these marimba adaptations have varied some, …

A Practical Approach For The Applied Voice Instructor Utilizing Limited Piano Skills In The Studio Setting, Lee Whittington Ousley

Theses and Dissertations

Providing a process for reducing accompaniments to commonly assigned undergraduate vocal repertoire could aid instructors with limited piano skills in the applied studio setting. Through the use of questionnaires and an online survey, it was determined that there is a population of undergraduate instructors of voice that do not have an accompanist present to play during student lessons. Without an accompanist, many teachers are unable to play the pieces as written, which warrants the creation of reduced scores as useful alternatives to pre-recorded tracks.

An online survey was distributed to determine if the population of teachers was significant enough to …

The History And Influence Of Tim Zimmerman And The King’S Brass, Eric Tyler Henson

Theses and Dissertations

From the Bible’s first mention of the trumpet in the book of Leviticus, to the prescribed uses of the instrument in the Psalms, to the trumpet blasts described in Revelation, the influence of brass instruments in the Christian faith has been present since ancient times. In the 20th century, Tim Zimmerman and his group the King’s Brass would come to the forefront of this tradition, reviving the use of brass in the church as a tool for worship. The King’s Brass has remained a leader in sacred brass music for the last forty years.

Despite humble beginnings as a trumpet …

A Stylistic Analysis Of Edvard Grieg’S Slåtter, Norwegian Peasant Dances, Op. 72, Zhiyuan He

Theses and Dissertations

Slåtter, Norwegian Peasant Dances, Op. 72 is a composition for solo piano by Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg (1843-1907). This set is one of his greatest contributions to piano literature, and shows his attempt to bring the traditional folk music to the rest of the world. The object of this study is to aid musicians toward a better understanding of Slåtter through a stylistic analysis of the work. The study includes historical information about the composer and his connection with nationalism in Northern Europe, and conveys how Slåtter can be considered a culminating work representing traditional Norwegian style characteristics.

The document …

Cancion Y Danza, Fetes Lointaines, Paisajes By Federico Mompou: A Stylistic Analysis, Qiaoni Liu

Theses and Dissertations

Spanish composer Frederic Mompou (1893-1987) created his music in an amazingly simple and mysterious way. His works are sometimes referred to as “music that has fallen silent.” Mompou’s piano works are not extremely popular on pianists’ repertoire list, partially due to a lack of familiarity with the composer and his works for piano. This study aims to provide more familiarity to readers about Mompou’s piano works with a goal of helping bring them to the attention of more pianists.

This study provides Mompou’s biography, as well as background information about the Spanish composer and his piano music. Some students may …

Us, Abundantly: From Africa To The Americas, Karisma Jay

Theses and Dissertations

"Us, AbunDantly," a Live theatrical dance performance and film, delves into the African Diaspora and its influences. An artistic and academic project built upon the amplification of Black excellence and Black pride, this paper contextualizes a work within the oral histories and contemporary dance studies of a powerfully ancestral community.

Electronic Learning: An Educator’S Guide To Navigating Online Learning In A Collegiate Horn Studio, Michelle Beck

Theses and Dissertations

Inarguably one of the most abrupt changes our education system has seen in the last 50 years, online learning has swept the country. To protect both the health and safety of its citizens, the country has shifted to an online format. With this change comes opportunity for growth and advancement of online learning curriculum. At the same time, this quick move has led many educators through an uncomfortable reassessment of teaching practice and pedagogical approach. In this document I will examine the many aspects of e-learning. E-learning is defined as “utilizing electronic technologies to access educational curriculum outside of a …

The Clarinet Music Of Dr. Austin Jaquith: A Performance Guide, Zachary Aaron Bond

Theses and Dissertations

Dr. Austin Jaquith is a critically acclaimed composer whose repertoire “runs the gamut from scoring for visual media to composing instrumental and vocal works in the contemporary classical genre.”¹ He has contributed to the repertory of the clarinet by offering three works, Rhapsody for Clarinet and Piano, Ballad for Clarinet Solo, and Mediation…Separation…for Clarinet and Piano. Each work is a demonstration of highly technical and musical skill and expression, showcasing influences from composers from the past brought together to create a wholly unique style, pushing the boundaries in the capabilities of both instrument and artist.

The purpose …

The Singing Voice Specialist: An Essential Bridge Between Two Worlds, Rebecca Holbrook Loar

Theses and Dissertations

For more than 35 years, voice teachers have been seeking an educational platform to adequately prepare a Singing Voice Specialist. Several degree ideas have been proposed, none of which have been fully implemented, leaving the field of Singing Voice Specialty without a certifying body or way to achieve licensure or certification. This document seeks to uncover the current progress in the field of Singing Voice Specialty, the progression of educational programs geared toward Singing Voice Specialization, possible accrediting associations, and future education needed to propel this profession forward.

In seeking these answers, experts within various aspects of voice care are …

A Legacy Preserved: A Comparison Of The Careers And Recordings Of Stanley Drucker And Karl Leister, Peter M. Geldrich

Theses and Dissertations

Today’s musician has an unprecedented amount of recordings through which they can influence their tonal concept, guide their phasing, and instill appropriate musical style. However, this abundance of recordings is both a treasure trove and a labyrinth in which one can lose their way without proper background on the recording artist. This context is necessary to determine the recordings in which a particular artist is most adept, and what stylistic lessons the artist best imparts. This document provides a comprehensive study of the careers and recordings of two of the most important clarinetists of the twentieth-century; Stanley Drucker and Karl …

Time’S Up: How Opera Is Facing Its Own Me Too Reckoning, Craig Price

Theses and Dissertations

Opera as an artform has a very misogynistic history. Many of the most beloved works in the standard repertory involve female characters as victims of violence, or an abuse of power by male characters. These works have recently been cast in a different light, in part due to a greater cultural awareness inspired by the “Me Too” movement. This study was executed to explore productions of standard repertory operas around the world, and how they have been handled in light of current culture. The study examines popularly performed operas Carmen, Don Giovanni, Le Nozze di Figaro, and …

The Mathematics Of Rubato: Analyzing Expressivetiming In Sergei Rachmaninoff’S Performances Of Hisown Music, Meilun An

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively investigate the nature of Rachmaninoff’s playing, with a specific focus on his own compositions. The primary source of data for this study is inter-onset intervals, which will be captured through the use of Sonic Visualiser. Inter-onset intervals are calculated by taking the difference between the onset of two adjacent notes, and can be used to calculate an instantaneous tempo. Various statistical methods will be used, including the variance, moving average, Pearson correlation coefficient, and a custom defined metric. The calculation of variance is especially useful in detecting major deviations from the average …

Natural Reed Enhancement: Establishing The First Universal Reed Break-In Process Through Hydro-Stabilization, Steven Isaac Christ

Theses and Dissertations

Reed players know the favorable sound of their cane does not last. Furthermore, students and educators who lack the reed pedagogy necessary to achieve any longevity and consistency suffer financially. In this study, a hydro-stabilization methodology is tested to analyze the systematic compression of parenchymatic cells within clarinet reeds. By compressing the parenchymatic cells of the cane, this project proposes that saliva will saturate the reed at ineffective/inefficient rates compared to fresh, non-stabilized reeds. 1,836 data points, collected from 17 reeds, comprised the overall study; 324 data points, collected from three reeds, represented the control group; and the remaining 1,512 …

Five Pieces For Piano By Isang Yun And Piano Etude No.1 By Unsuk Chin: An Analysis, Inhye Cho

Theses and Dissertations

Isang Yun (1917-1995) is a well-known Korean-German contemporary classical composer known for incorporating both East Asian and Western musical elements in his music. Despite his fame in Germany, he had little recognition in other countries including his home country, South Korea when he was alive.

Korean composer Unsuk Chin (b.1961) is one of the leading female contemporary composers of the 21st century living in Germany. After being awarded famous international prizes, her compositions gradually became well-known for combining her own musical style with other art forms.

This study provides a biography and background of these two composers and their music. …

Performance Edition Of Franz Simandl’S 30 Etudes For The String Bass With Critical Commentary, Austin Gaboriau

Theses and Dissertations

More than 100 years after František, “Franz,” Simandl’s (1840–1912) death, his pedagogical works are still widely used by aspiring double bassists. Simandl’s methodology codified in these works standardized lower position left-hand technique for most modern bass players. His 30 Etudes for the String Bass is still commonly studied, but existing editions don’t provide adequate instruction to students who haven’t already worked through Simandl’s New Method. With many more recent beginner method books available to present day students, it can’t be expected that students always work through the New Method before moving on to 30 Etudes for the String Bass as …

A Trumpet Player’S Performance Guide Of Three Selected Works For Trumpet, Cello, And Piano, Justin Wayne Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

This document explores, in detail, three works for trumpet, cello, and piano. These works were performed on a chamber recital before the writing of this document. The three selected works are Statements, Commanding by Robert J. Bradshaw, Elegy by Alex Shapiro, and Trio for Trumpet, Violincello, and Piano by Eric Ewazen. This document focuses on the musical performance of these three works, ways to prepare specific sections, and issues the author and his trio experienced during the preparation of these works. To the author’s knowledge, no previous documents have explored these three works. The field of study focusing on the …

A Stylistic Analysis Of Alexander Tcherepnin's Piano Concerto No. 4, Op. 78, With An Emphasis On Eurasian Influences, Qin Ouyang

Theses and Dissertations

Russian-born Alexander Nikolayevich Tcherepnin (Jan 23, 1899-Sept 13, 1977), a contemporary of Virgil Thomson, Henry Cowell, Igor Stravinsky, and Arnold Schoenberg, made far-reaching contributions as a pianist, conductor, and composer. His unique contrapuntal system “Interpoint,” employment of rhythmic variation, adoption of polyphonic structure, and use of the nine-step scale secured his place in music history as a celebrated composer of the twentieth century.1 Throughout his life he traveled to various countries. 1928-1947 is a period during which Tcherepnin came under the influence of “Eurasian” ideas (the synthesis of Russian and Eastern cultures). He developed new musical formulas by exploiting musical …

Stewarding College Music Training In America: The Emergence Of Music Entrepreneurship Education And The National Association Of Schools Of Music, Kathryn Louise Brown

Theses and Dissertations

As the only nationally recognized accreditor for American postsecondary music units, the National Association of Music (NASM) determines quality standards for American music training. In an effort to improve professional outcomes for music school graduates, NASM added an entrepreneurial component to both graduate and undergraduate accreditation standards as early as 1999. References to entrepreneurship within NASM conference proceedings increased between the mid-1960s and 1995, as NASM stewarded American college music training through numerous sustainability challenges resulting from intense technological, economic, political, and cultural change. Music entrepreneurship education emerged from the development of curricular innovations in response to these challenges: music …