Dramatic Expression in Thirty Musical Settings of Goethe's "Der Erlkonig" (open access)

Dramatic Expression in Thirty Musical Settings of Goethe's "Der Erlkonig"

This study is an investigation of the dramatic expression in thirty musical settings of Goethe's "Erlkonig," to attempt to determine why the works by Franz Schubert and Carl Loewe have achieved such popularity.
Date: May 1973
Creator: McDaniel, Mary Eileen
System: The UNT Digital Library
Dissonance Treatment in Fuging Tunes by Daniel Read from The American Singing Book and The Columbian Harmonist (open access)

Dissonance Treatment in Fuging Tunes by Daniel Read from The American Singing Book and The Columbian Harmonist

This thesis treats Daniel Read's music analytically to establish style characteristics. Read's fuging tunes are examined for metric placement and structural occurrence of dissonance, and dissonance as text painting. Read's comments on dissonance are extracted from his tunebook introductions. A historical chapter includes the English origins of the fuging tune and its American heyday. The creative life of Daniel Read is discussed. This thesis contributes to knowledge of Read's role in the development of the New England Psalmody idiom. Specifically, this work illustrates the importance of understanding and analyzing Read's use of dissonance as a style determinant, showing that Read's dissonance treatment is an immediate and central characteristic of his compositional practice.
Date: May 1987
Creator: Sims, Scott G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of the Effects of Frequency Variance on Duration Perception (open access)

A Study of the Effects of Frequency Variance on Duration Perception

This study investigates the effects of frequency variance on duration perception, using musically trained subjects. In the experiment three silent duration intervals were examined (4.75, 5.00, and 5.25 seconds); each interval was preceded and followed by tone markers. The onset marker was preceded by seven discrete tones one second apart, on the frequency 174.968 Hertz. This established a pulse or an external standard time measure. The subjects made judgments as to whether the offset marker fell "before," "on," or "after," the pulse. The offset marker had a variable frequency. In the study, the direction of the frequency change, the distance of frequency change, and the mathematical intervallic relationships of the two frequencies show possible influence on duration perception.
Date: May 1980
Creator: Gay, Leslie C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Two-Part Framework in Selected Choral Works as a Harmonic and Stylistic Determinant (open access)

The Two-Part Framework in Selected Choral Works as a Harmonic and Stylistic Determinant

The problem with which this investigation is concerned is the determination of compositional styles in terms of manners of employing monadic and dyadic intervals in the music of the common practice period. An aspect for determining style is proposed by way of comparing the frequency of occurrence of dyads and monads in selected musical examples from the baroque, classical, and romantic periods. Chapter I is a discussion of the problem and methodology of the study. Chapters II, III, and IV present analytic comparison of examples in the baroque, classical, and romantic periods respectively. Chapter V presents a summary of the findings with references to the pedagogical applications of the two-part framework principle.
Date: May 1981
Creator: Turner, Michael W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
"Santa Eulalia M. Md. 7": a Critical Edition and Study of Sacred Part Music from Colonial Northwestern Guatemala (open access)

"Santa Eulalia M. Md. 7": a Critical Edition and Study of Sacred Part Music from Colonial Northwestern Guatemala

Santa Eulalia M. Md. 7, dated January 20, 1600, is part of the San Miguel Acatán Repertory, which originated in the northwestern highlands of Guatemala and is presently owned by the Lilly Library of Indiana University. The manuscript contains thirty-four four-part songs and dances, two thirds of which are villancicos for Christmas, Easter, the Eucharist, and the feasts of All Saints and St. Michael. The remaining third consists of Latin biblical texts in either fabordón or contrapuntal settings, three pieces with Náhuatl texts, and an instrumental pavana. The thesis contains a modern edition of Santa Eulalia M. Md. 7 with critical notes and commentary, a comparison of the pieces with villancicos and fabordones of European origin, and a survey of several aspects of Mayan culture.
Date: May 1981
Creator: Baird, Sheila Raney
System: The UNT Digital Library
Tempo Determination in the Choral Works of Francis Poulenc (open access)

Tempo Determination in the Choral Works of Francis Poulenc

Though Poulenc marks choral compositions with metronomic indications, there are problems concerning tempo. The purpose of this paper is to determine guidelines for dealing with choral tempo. Chapter II relates biographical information pertinent to the study. Style Is examined In Chapter III, determining aspects that call tempo marks into question and influence tempo determination. In Chapter IV, the manner in which Poulenc uses tempo indications in the choral works is analysed and the relationship between form and tempo examined. Chapter V records Information bearing upon tempo from Poulenc's collaboration with conductors, as well as examining recordings of Poulenc's music in which he played or with which he expressed approval. Guidelines for determining tempo are stated in Chapter VI.
Date: May 1989
Creator: Teal, Terri Denise
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Investigation of Textural Activity and Its Hierarchical Structures in Selected Works by Krzysztof Penderecki (open access)

An Investigation of Textural Activity and Its Hierarchical Structures in Selected Works by Krzysztof Penderecki

This study focuses on temporal aspects of the music of Krzysztof Penderecki and deals with these on the level of textural activity. The analyses are based on a referential idea called a "discrete sound event," defined as an occurrence of a sound or collection of sounds which, as a unit, is distinct from the surrounding texture. These sound events are then used to appraise textural activity from layer fluctuation and composite density. The pieces selected for applying these techniques are the Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima, from 1960, the Fluorescences, from 1961, and the 1965 Capriccio for oboe and strings.
Date: May 1986
Creator: Daley, Paul B. (Paul Byron)
System: The UNT Digital Library
Italian Influences in the Corellisirende Sonaten of Telemann (open access)

Italian Influences in the Corellisirende Sonaten of Telemann

George Philipp Telemann is often thought of an experimenter with many nationalistic styles during the course of his career. His Corellian Sonatas demonstrate this facet of his work in their employment of Corelli's manner, and the cultivation of the Italian style. Telemann's Corellian sonatas are stylistically close to those of Corelli, and they do not appear to vary widely from the church and chamber sonatas of Corelli; Telemann fused the two sonata types in that dance elements are found in the church sonatas and the abstract elements of the church sonatas are inserted into the chamber sonatas. In addition to the amalgamation of internal elements, Telemann also experimented with the external features, such as the alternation of tempo and the four movement stereotype.
Date: May 1995
Creator: Chang, Young-Shim
System: The UNT Digital Library
Twenty-Six Two- and Three-Voiced Canons by Johann Walter Transcribed for French Horn (open access)

Twenty-Six Two- and Three-Voiced Canons by Johann Walter Transcribed for French Horn

This thesis provides modern transcriptions for horn of twenty-six two- and three-voiced canons by Johann Walter, thereby adding to the literature available from the sixteenth century for that instrument. This project specifically attempts to introduce the high school and college student hornist to modal music in strict fugal form; the transcriptions appear as an appendix. The topics discussed in the body of this thesis include the canon, Johann Walter's life and significant contributions, sixteenth-century instrumental music, musicians' guilds, the zink, and the horn. This work is not intended to offer a comprehensive history of any of these areas, but to aid the teacher and student in the preparation and performance of these transcriptions.
Date: May 1988
Creator: Balthrop, Sharon
System: The UNT Digital Library
The String Quartets of Franz Berwald (open access)

The String Quartets of Franz Berwald

This thesis is concerned with the historical context and evaluation of the string quartets of Franz Berwald. It will establish the environment within which Berwald composed these quartets, and show the results of his efforts. The material for this investigation was gathered from musical scores and literature about music. Chapter I gives an introduction to the thesis and a short biographical sketch of Berwald. Chapter II surveys the string quartet in the first half of the nineteenth century, citing the work of major composers. This chapter concludes with an examination of the influences on Berwald's musical styles. Chapter III surveys Berwald's musical output and describes the Quartet in G Minor. Chapter IV describes his last two quartets. The evaluations and conclusions are presented in Chapter V.
Date: May 1977
Creator: Coffman, Randall Edson
System: The UNT Digital Library
White Dawn Streams (open access)

White Dawn Streams

White Dawn Streams is a composition for orchestra with tape. The orchestra includes woodwinds (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon), brass (horns(2), trumpets(2), trombone, tuba), percussion (timpani, bass drum, snare drum, tom-toms, timbales, temple blocks, suspended cymbal, triangle, xylophone), and strings. The tape was produced using a Synclavier digital synthesizer. The work consists of a single movement approximately eleven minutes in duration. The pitch materials in the work are derived from a single series of pitches and are used in a contrapuntal texture.
Date: May 1984
Creator: Mitchell, Daniel R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Heroes Are Born Then Made (open access)

Heroes Are Born Then Made

Heroes Are Born Then Made is a theatre piece involving live actors on stage, and live music originating from an orchestra pit. The script and music is original. The music is meant to literally depict actions and emotions on stage whether the actors are present or not. The duration of the entire production is about two and one-half hours long. Six main actors are used with additional walk-ons. Sixteen musicians are required to make up the orchestra which is organized into a woodwind quartet, a brass trio, a string quartet, a piano, and a percussion quartet. The play is based on the author's conception of how people tend to treat each other when someone is caught at a disadvantage. Specifically it is a depiction of the conflict involved when the minor characters discover that the main character is trying to do something quite different from their definition of "normal."
Date: May 1987
Creator: Miesak, Edward
System: The UNT Digital Library
Johann Friedrich Reichardt and His Liederspiel "Liebe und Treue" (open access)

Johann Friedrich Reichardt and His Liederspiel "Liebe und Treue"

The purpose of this investigation is to examine Reichardt's reasons for his development of the genre Liederspiel. A brief biographical sketch of Reichardt reveals an innovative character who was responsible for several developments within the history of music. The Liederspiel was particularly affected by the French vaudeville. However, an investigation into the character of each shows that they are really quite different. A translation of an article by Reichardt from the Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitun discloses the purpose of the composer in his presentation of the Liederspiel to the public. The first Liederspiel was Liebe und Treue and was a complete success. The libretto and piano vocal score shows the construction of liebe und Treueand an English translation aids in its understanding.
Date: May 1979
Creator: Peacock, Daniel F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Debussy's Use of the Motive in Thematic Construction as Found in "Images I" for Piano (open access)

Debussy's Use of the Motive in Thematic Construction as Found in "Images I" for Piano

This study seeks to discover the extent and manner of Debussy's use of the motive in thematic material. A total of 40 melodic examples were analyzed in order to show their relationship to a single motive, a three-note figure having a step-leap relationship. Using eighty-four series of examples, the study shows the melodies analyzed to be 85% motive-derived. The study concludes, therefore, that Images I is a remarkably economical work, using a single three-note motive as a unifying and developmental basis.
Date: May 1977
Creator: Sheridan, John F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Of Variegated Shadows (open access)

Of Variegated Shadows

Of Variegated Shadows is an original composition for wind ensemble. The purpose of the composition is to contribute a work to college level wind ensemble literature which employs established instrumental techniques and explores the various colors or timbres of the ensemble. The work is a single movement of approximately 15 - 20 minutes duration. It is divided into three continuous sections, each reflecting a different character or mood. A transition couples the first and second sections and a coda concludes the composition with a brief return of the opening section. Textures of the piece are transparent with an emphasis given to the blending of different colors in the ensemble. Instrumentation includes antique cymbals, vibraphone and tam-tam to add subtle shades of color. Thematic materials woven into the texture are linearly constructed as well as vertically layered and fragmented. There is no order or system in which pitches occur, although intervals used reflect the motivic structures in the work.
Date: May 1984
Creator: Mita, Harold Y.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The History of the Keyed Brasses (open access)

The History of the Keyed Brasses

This study examines what makes a keyed brass instrument, early keyed brass instruments, and keyed brass instruments of today. Focuses on the Cornett, the Serpent, the Basshorn and Russian Bassoon, the Ophicleide, the Horn, the Keyed Trumpet, and the Keyed Bugle.
Date: May 1963
Creator: Montgomery, Ralph W. (Ralph William)
System: The UNT Digital Library
Concerto for Guitar and Chamber Orchestra (open access)

Concerto for Guitar and Chamber Orchestra

The Concert for Guitar and Chamber Orchestra, a three-movement work, is approximately seventeen and one-half minutes in duration. Adhering to the three movement concerto form, the work reflects the influence of several styles of twentieth-century orchestral music. In the first movement, two principal motives, significant throughout the work, are developed in a series of metered and non-metered events. The second movement consists of a set of guitar cadenzas framed by increasingly complex material in the orchestra. The third movement explores an application of the two principal motives in a rondo setting.
Date: May 1986
Creator: Scott, Stephen, 1944-
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Saxophone: Its Development and use in the Orchestra (open access)

The Saxophone: Its Development and use in the Orchestra

The purpose of this study is to trace the invention and development of a greatly abused instrument, the saxophone, and its use in the symphony orchestra. The first chapter concerns the instrument's invention and acceptance. The second chapter discusses physical characteristics of the saxophone. The third chapter deals with the particular methods of using the saxophone in orchestral literature by various composers, from its use in the nineteenth century through the present. An appendix provides a comprehensive listing of orchestral literature in which the saxophone is utilized.
Date: May 1969
Creator: McFarland, Randall R. (Randall Roberts)
System: The UNT Digital Library
Édouard Batiste's Symphonie militaire (1845): edition and commentary (open access)

Édouard Batiste's Symphonie militaire (1845): edition and commentary

Symphonie Militaire is a three movement work for twelve solo wind instruments composed by Edouard Batiste (1820-1876), a professor at the Paris Conservatoire and organist. The composition is scored for flute, two oboes, two B-flat clarinets, two bassoons, E-flat trumpet with valves, two F horns with valves, trombone, and B-flat ophicleide. In this edition, which was prepared from the original manuscript, the trumpet part is transposed to B-flat and a tuba has been substituted for the ophicleide. Based on a study of the score, as well as knowledge of wind band music of the period, several speculations have been made concerning the reason for the composition of the piece. The limited instrumentation supports the idea that, like other military symphonies, Symphonie Militaire may have been written for a special occasion. The work is, however, at least a reflection of the concern in 1845 for the reconstruction of the French military bands.
Date: May 1976
Creator: Smialek, William
System: The UNT Digital Library
Nineteenth-Century New Orleans Composers (open access)

Nineteenth-Century New Orleans Composers

A comprehensive study of all nineteenth-century New Orleans composers is far beyond the scope of this paper. There are simply too many. An attempt has been made, however, to include as many possible in the text. Others, about whom there is insufficient information to include in a narrative, have been relegated to the appendix, where they are treated in the style of a biographical dictionary. The two most important and influential composers of the century, Gregorion Curto and Theodore von La Hache, are covered individually in chapters two and three, respectively. Their music represents all three of the important aspects of composition of the era: opera, salon, and sacred music. Louis Moreau Gottschalk, probably the most famous composer and performer of the period, has been omitted from this study (other than incidental references) because he has already received considerable attention from numerous other researchers. Likewise, another composer of note, Ernest Guiraud, has been omitted because, even though a native of New Orleans, he left America at an early age and never returned. He should more appropriately be considered in annals of French music. Research in this field, a vital part of the American musical heritage, is by no means complete. …
Date: May 1968
Creator: Wolfe, Alvin Duain
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 Seven Last Words of Christ: A Sacred Cantata (open access)

The Seven Last Words of Christ: A Sacred Cantata

The Seven Last Words of Christ is a sacred cantata for SATB chorus with soloists accompanied by a woodwind quintet, brass quintet and three percussionists. The text employed in this work is based on the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in the King James Version of the of the Holy Bible. The cantata consists of seven movements with an instrumental introduction and postlude, and has a duration of approximately twenty-seven minutes. The majority of the movements are slow in tempo, reflecting the somber mood of the text. The major goal of this work is to musically represent the drama and prevailing mood present at an event of extreme magnitude and importance in the lives of Christians around the world, and to provide additional literature for special church services through the use of individual movements.
Date: May 1987
Creator: Roberson, Kevin D. (Kevin Douglas)
System: The UNT Digital Library
Alban Berg as Liedkomponist: An Analytical Study of his Two Settings of "Schliesse mir die Augen beide," 1907 and 1925 (open access)

Alban Berg as Liedkomponist: An Analytical Study of his Two Settings of "Schliesse mir die Augen beide," 1907 and 1925

Alan Berg's two musical settings of Theodor Storm's poem"Schliesse mir die Augen beide" have received little in the way of scholarly analytical attention. The three major chapters of this thesis deal with the two settings on three different levels. Chapter II surveys the political and cultural milieu in which Berg functioned as a young composer of Lieder in the years 1900-1910. Chapter III examines the special quality of lyricism which is often attributed to Berg and his works. Chapter IV provides more definitive and complete musical analyses of the two settings than have heretofore been available. The question of what role songwriting played in the development of Berg's compositional process is addressed in the conclusion.
Date: May 1986
Creator: Ray, Karen, 1951-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Heinrich Schütz (open access)

Heinrich Schütz

This work is a study of the historical and social background, the life and the compositions of Heinrich Schutz.
Date: May 1958
Creator: Streetman, Richard David, 1933-
System: The UNT Digital Library