A History of the Clarinet and its Music from 1600 to 1800 (open access)

A History of the Clarinet and its Music from 1600 to 1800

It is the purpose of this thesis to present a study of music written for the clarinet during the period from 1600 to 1800. The first part is a history of the clarinet showing the stages of development of the instrument from its early predecessors to its present form. Part one also explains the acoustics of the clarinet and its actual invention. The second part deals with composers and their music for the clarinet. No attempt is made to include all music written for the instrument during the prescribed period; rather, the writer's intention is to include chiefly those works by composers whose musics has proven to be outstanding in clarinet literature or interesting historically. The order in which the works themselves are taken up is chronological, by composers, with comment on their styles as to form, harmonic content, melodic content, rhythmic content, problems in phrasing, or any other general technical problem. All of these elements are illustrated with examples taken from the music.
Date: August 1964
Creator: Kireilis, Ramon
System: The UNT Digital Library
Respond Motets from Matins for the Dead by Robert Parsons (open access)

Respond Motets from Matins for the Dead by Robert Parsons

The three respond motets from Matins for the Dead by Robert Parsons constitute an important part of the sacred Latin repertory of mid-sixteenth-century England, illustrating central features of the English mid-century style. Although he worked within a conservative musical tradition, Parsons experimented with that tradition in personal and individual ways. Specifically his modal and thematic construction as well as his practice of musica ficta are singled out for closer analysis. Consequently, a methodology for editorial decisions concerning musica ficta is developed. Two special problems, the simultaneous cross-relation and diminished fourth, are shown as the result of normative polyphonic processes and vertical structures.
Date: August 1984
Creator: Nosow, Robert Michael
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Unaccompanied Choral Music of Felix Mendelssohn (open access)

The Unaccompanied Choral Music of Felix Mendelssohn

The purpose of this study was to analyze for reasons of interpretation the unaccompanied choral music of Felix Mendelssohn. What are the stylistic characteristics in each of the compositions selected for examination in this study? What comparisons and conclusions based on the analyses can be made concerning the character of compositional style in Felix Mendelssohn's unaccompanied choral music? What conclusions can be made concerning the interpretation of Felix Mendelssohn's unaccompanied choral music based on the compositional style of his music and an understanding of his musical attributes?
Date: January 1967
Creator: Shearer, Clarence Maynard
System: The UNT Digital Library
Zweyer Gleich-Gesinnten Freunde Tugend- und Schertz-Lieder by Johann Jacob Löwe and Julius Johann Weiland (open access)

Zweyer Gleich-Gesinnten Freunde Tugend- und Schertz-Lieder by Johann Jacob Löwe and Julius Johann Weiland

The purpose of this thesis was to make available for performance and study an edition of the twenty-two secular songs published in this collection by Johann Jacob Löwe and Julius Johann Weiland in 1657. The thesis contains twenty-two secular songs for one, two, or three voices with continuo accompaniment and ritornellos for one or two violins, and/or viola, as well as translations of Lowe's preface and dedication and a poem to Lower and Weiland by Heinrich Schaffer. The work contains three chapters, the first covering Lowe's life and work and association with Weiland, the second the state of German secular song in 16050, and the third a critical commentary on the editing of the songs. Editorial corrections are included.
Date: May 1978
Creator: Clayton, Nancy Jean
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Bands of the Confederacy: An Examination of the Musical and Military Contributions of the Bands and Musicians of the Confederate States of America (open access)

The Bands of the Confederacy: An Examination of the Musical and Military Contributions of the Bands and Musicians of the Confederate States of America

The purpose of this study was to investigate the bands of the armies of the Confederate States of America. This study features appendices of libraries and archives collections visited in ten states and Washington D.C., and covers all known Confederate bands. Some scholars have erroneously concluded that this indicated a lack of available primary source materials that few Confederate bands served the duration of the war. The study features appendices of libraries and archives collections visited in ten states and Washington, D.C., and covers all known Confederate bands. There were approximately 155 bands and 2,400 bandsmen in the service of the Confederate armies. Forty bands surrendered at Appomattox and many others not listed on final muster rolls were found to have served through the war. While most Confederate musicians and bandsmen were white, many black musicians were regularly enlisted soldiers who provided the same services. A chapter is devoted to the contributions of black Confederate musicians.
Date: August 1987
Creator: Ferguson, Benny Pryor
System: The UNT Digital Library
The French Cantata: A Survey and Thematic Catalog (open access)

The French Cantata: A Survey and Thematic Catalog

The musical compositions known collectively as the French cantata have remained relatively unknown since their popularity waned in the middle of the 18th century. In order to establish a foundation for their systematic study and to bring them to the attention of a wider audience, this survey and catalog have been prepared. The cultural mileu in which the cantatas were written, their formal structure, and principles related to their performance have been presented along with pertinent biographical and bibliographical information.
Date: 1970
Creator: Vollen, Gene E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Evolution of Violin Technique from Monteverdi to Paganini (open access)

The Evolution of Violin Technique from Monteverdi to Paganini

The purpose of this thesis is to show through the presentation and analysis of authoritative information, and opinions drawn from the information and analysis, the development of violin technique from its basic rudiments as an accompanying instrument to the plane of a brilliant solo instrument, a position it still maintains today. This thesis aims to deal exclusively with the technical evolution of the violin. Many books on the history of the violin have been written, but none have dealt exclusively with the technical evolution of this instrument, and it is hoped that the materials in this thesis will constitute a contribution to this field.
Date: January 1954
Creator: Xeros, Chris P. (Chris Pete)
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Investigation of Extrinsic Laryngeal Muscle Responses to Auditory Stimulation (open access)

An Investigation of Extrinsic Laryngeal Muscle Responses to Auditory Stimulation

The purpose of this study was to provide, through systematic investigation, empirical data to support or reject the assumption that auditory stimulation by discrete pitches evokes consistent muscle responses in the extrinsic laryngeal muscles. The study was an electromyographic investigation of specific upper and lower extrinsic laryngeal muscles as stimulated by two specific pitch stimuli. The responses were evoked by auditory stimulation, without vocalization. From these findings, it was concluded that a direct relationship exists between specific pitch stimuli and specific extrinsic laryngeal muscle responses. It was concluded that these responses likely exist in the general population.
Date: August 1985
Creator: Wallace, Jerry D. (Jerry Don)
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Keyboard Ricercare in the Baroque Era: Volume 1 (open access)

The Keyboard Ricercare in the Baroque Era: Volume 1

This study seeks to examine the history of the ricercare, specifically in the baroque era. In this work, all types of keyboard compositions that utilize imitative counterpoint have been examined. Late baroque fugues have been examined to determine which characteristics of the earlier ricercare remained in general use and which specific compositions contain elements causing them to resemble strongly the parent form.
Date: August 1963
Creator: Douglass, Robert S. (Robert Satterfield), 1919-
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Accompanied Solo Song of the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries (open access)

The Accompanied Solo Song of the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries

The purpose of this thesis is to discuss the changes and developments of the accompanied solo song throughout the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, including instrument usage and song types.
Date: August 1953
Creator: McCarty, Hurshelene Journey
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Union List of Musical Literature in North Texas Regional Libraries, 1946 (open access)

A Union List of Musical Literature in North Texas Regional Libraries, 1946

It is the purpose of the study to make a survey of the larger libraries in this region and to compile a list of the holdings of books about music. With the impetus of the North Texas Regional Union List of Serials, 1943; Comprising the libraries of North Texas State Teachers College. Southern Methodist University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Texas Christian University Texas State College for Women, and the Public Libraries of Dallas and Fort Worth, and its two supplements of 1943-45 and 1945-46, and following the general form of that work, the present "Union List of Musical Literature in North Texas Regional Libraries, 1946," has been compiled. The libraries represented in the North Texas Regional Union List of Serials are included here, with holdings listed as of March 1, 1946. These libraries are: North Texas State Teachers College and Texas State College for Women, Denton, Texas; Texas Christian University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Fort worth Public Library, Fort Worth, Texas; Southern Methodist University and Dallas Public Library, Dallas, Texas.
Date: January 1949
Creator: Henderson, George R. (George Robert), 1918-
System: The UNT Digital Library
The British Museum Manuscript Additional 35087: A Transcription of the French, Italian, and Latin Compositions with Concordance and Commentary (open access)

The British Museum Manuscript Additional 35087: A Transcription of the French, Italian, and Latin Compositions with Concordance and Commentary

The London British Museum Manuscript Additional 35087, hereafter referred to as London Add. 35087, is an important parchment manuscript in large octavo choirbook arrangement from the beginning of the sixteenth century. Its measurements are 19.4 x 29.3 centimeters. The manuscript contains ninety-five folios and one stub where a leaf has been torn out (f. 4).1 The last composition in the manuscript is incomplete, which indicates that one leaf is lacking at the end (f. 96). Two sets of foliation are shown: the original Roman and a more recent Arabic. Both are placed in the upper right hand corner of folio recto. The sets agree in folios 4-93. Folios 1 and 2 show no Roman figures now; folio 3 has "ii," and therefore the missing leaf probably had "iii." The Arabic numbering does not account for this missing leaf. This folio might have been assigned "4," but this number is given on the next complete leaf to coincide with the Roman "iiii." At the end, by mistake, folio 94 has "xciii" and folio 95 has "xciiii."
Date: August 1967
Creator: McMurtry, William M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Survey of Musical Background and an Analysis of Mexican Piano Music 1928 to 1956 (open access)

A Survey of Musical Background and an Analysis of Mexican Piano Music 1928 to 1956

The Revolution of 1910 in Mexico marked a great political and social upheaval. At the same time a recasting of Mexico's music occurred. Modern Mexican music is a unique combination of the influence inherited from Europe and the indigenous music of the country. This work attempts to trace the development of that combination. Chapter I gives a background of music in Mexico through Pre-Cortesian times, the colonial period and the operatic nineteenth century. Chapter II deals with the men who shaped present day music in Mexico. Chapter III is an analysis of selected twentieth century piano works. The analysis shows the tendencies of ten Mexican composers in their use of melody and rhythm. It includes a discussion of harmonic structure and tonality. The composers whose works were chosen for consideration in the analysis range from Manuel M. Ponce, considered the father of modern Mexican music, to Carlos Chavez, recognized as the outstanding exponent of music in Mexico today.
Date: June 1957
Creator: Slight, Charlotte Frances
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Early Piano Sonatas of Prokofiev (open access)

The Early Piano Sonatas of Prokofiev

The purpose of this thesis is to give a descriptive look at modern Russian music, specifically the early piano sonatas of Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev, with focus on style and style influences.
Date: January 1955
Creator: Meeks, Ida Ledale
System: The UNT Digital Library
Florence, Biblioteca del Conservatorio di Musica Luigi Cherubini, Manuscript Basevi 2439: Critical Edition and Commentary (open access)

Florence, Biblioteca del Conservatorio di Musica Luigi Cherubini, Manuscript Basevi 2439: Critical Edition and Commentary

The subject of the present study, Florence, Biblioteca del Conservatorio di Musica Luigi Cherubini, MS Basevi 2439, abbreviated Florence 2439,1 contains secular and sacred vocal music of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, with texts in French, Dutch, Italian, and Latin.
Date: June 1968
Creator: Newton, Paul George, 1930-
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of the Secular Music of the Major Composers at the Court of Burgundy in the Fifteenth Century (open access)

A Study of the Secular Music of the Major Composers at the Court of Burgundy in the Fifteenth Century

The present work is intended to ascertain the most important stylistic developments of one major composer, Binchois, and several lesser composers: Grenon, Fontaine, Vide, Joye, Constans, Morton and Hayne. All of these musicians were employed by Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy (1420-1467), when he was one of the richest, most powerful and most respected of all the sovereigns of Europe.
Date: January 1955
Creator: Couch, Reginald Leon
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Three-Voice Cantatas with Instrumental Accompaniment by Dietrich Buxtehude (open access)

The Three-Voice Cantatas with Instrumental Accompaniment by Dietrich Buxtehude

The present investigation deals with the cantatas of Dietrich Buxtehude written for three voice parts with instrumental accompaniment. An examination of the various musical forms which Buxtehude employed in these cantatas will comprise one of the two areas in this study. The other area shall be concerned with Buxtehude's usage of word painting (i.e., musical portrayal of word meanings). Before entering an investigation of Buxtehude's music, his life and background should be considered.
Date: August 1957
Creator: Luper, Ray Fernando, 1931-
System: The UNT Digital Library
The History of the Trombone from the Renaissance to the Early Romantic Period (open access)

The History of the Trombone from the Renaissance to the Early Romantic Period

The purpose of this thesis is to show the development of the trombone, in form and music, and its use in the orchestra through the times of Beethoven and Schubert. Since very little material has been presented concerning the history of the trombone, it is hoped that the illustrations and explanations contained herein will be a contribution toward a representation of music from different composers and periods. The music covered gives a picture of the use of the trombone from the Renaissance through to the beginning of the Romantic Period. The results of this study are presented in three main sections: (1) The history of the trombone in the Renaissance; (2) The history of the trombone in the Baroque; (3) The history of the trombone in the Classical Period, and up to the time of Schubert.
Date: August 1952
Creator: Highfill, Richard
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Bass Trombone and Its Use in Selected Works of Smetana, Borodin, Tchaikovsky, and Dvorak (open access)

The Bass Trombone and Its Use in Selected Works of Smetana, Borodin, Tchaikovsky, and Dvorak

The selected works by the composers studied in this thesis might well stand as illustrative of the normal development of the use of the bass trombone near the close of the nineteenth century. Although notable progress was made by the cited composers in increasing the bass trombone's usefulness in the orchestra, each composer also continued to use the bass trombone as it had been used in previous years, such as in doubling bass parts, harmonic backgrounds, and for strong rhythmic punctuations.
Date: August 1969
Creator: Kesting, Gary Walther
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Six Authentic Motets of J.S. Bach: An Analysis in Relation to Performance (open access)

The Six Authentic Motets of J.S. Bach: An Analysis in Relation to Performance

Analysis in relation to performance of the six authentic motets of J.S. Bach: Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied ; Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit auf ; Fürchte dich nicht ; Jesu, meine Freude ; Komm, Jesu, komm ; Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden.
Date: January 1967
Creator: Mathesen, John A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Comparison of Major Theories of Laryngeal Vibration (open access)

A Comparison of Major Theories of Laryngeal Vibration

The purpose of this study was to compare major theories of laryngeal vibration. The basic hypothesis of the study was that the differences and similarities between the major theories of laryngeal vibration could be made evident and clear through a comparative study. It was assumed that there are two or more theories of laryngeal vibration and that all the major theories of laryngeal vibration from 1945 to the present have been described in written form in English.
Date: December 1972
Creator: Smith, Sue Ellen
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Oboe in Early American Music, 1600-1861 (open access)

The Oboe in Early American Music, 1600-1861

There are no records to substantiate that one of the passengers on the Mayflower brought an oboe with him in 1620, but diaries, journals, and newspaper articles document its presence and utilization in the United States a few years after that date. A reference to musical instruments occurs in the inventories of the goods of two neighboring New Hampshire "plantations" taken approximately ten years after they were originally settled. At "Newitchwanicke, ld of Julie, 1633. . . in the Great House, 15 recorders and hoeboys" were listed, while "at Pascattaquack 2d Julie, 1633," one day later, there were no less than "hoeboys and recorders 26" and "1 drume"!1 By 1635 New Hampshire had 56 oboes and recorders alone. 2
Date: June 1970
Creator: Rager, Brenda Marie
System: The UNT Digital Library
Elements of Verismo in Selected Operas of Giuseppe Verdi (open access)

Elements of Verismo in Selected Operas of Giuseppe Verdi

In music, the term verismo usually refers to a realistic or naturalistic movement in Italian operas of the late nineteenth century. From the dawn of Italian opera four features have been manifested--umanita (humanism), sincerity (sincerity), passione (passion), effetto (not only theatrical effect but the supreme dramatic moment). The elements of verismo are among the characteristics present in the operas of Giuseppe Verdi where they reached a zenith of development. It is upon these veristic aspects, as identified in the second chapter, that the operas Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci were based. Rigoletto, Il Trovatore, and La Traviata richly exhibit these elements of verismo which have been identified in the fourth chapter.
Date: August 1968
Creator: Morgan, Ann Shands
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Comparison of Formal and Structural Principles in the Concerti Grossi of Corelli's Opus VI and Vivaldi's Opus III (open access)

A Comparison of Formal and Structural Principles in the Concerti Grossi of Corelli's Opus VI and Vivaldi's Opus III

The comparison of structural and formal traits in the concert grossi of Corelli's Opus VI and Vivaldi's Opus III will proceed in the following manner: first, the cycle as a whole will be taken up; next, the individual movements will be considered. Finally, in each instance of comparison, Corelli's music will be dealt with first.
Date: August 1968
Creator: Hart, Euclid August
System: The UNT Digital Library