This lecture-recital investigated the lineage of French composers who were influenced by jazz during the first half of the twentieth century, with a focus on compositions from the solo trombone repertory. Historically, French composers, more than those of other European countries, showed an early affinity for the artistic merits of America's jazz. This predilection for the elements of jazz could be seen in the selected orchestral works of Les Six and the solo compositions of the Paris Conservatory composers. An examination of the skills of major jazz trombonists early in the twentieth century showed that idioms resulting from their unique abilities were gradually assimilated into orchestral and solo repertory. Orchestral works by Satie, Milhaud, and Ravel works showing jazz traits were investigated. Further, an expose of the solo trombone works emanating from the Paris Conservatory was presented. Although written documentation is limited, comparisons between early recorded jazz trombone solos and compositions for orchestral and solo trombone was established. These comparisons were made on the basis of idiomatic jazz elements such as high-tessitura ballad melodies, blue tonalities and harmonies, syncopated rhythms, and many of the aspects of style associated with improvisation. All major French solo trombone repertory to mid-century was surveyed …

This study investigates and documents tenor/bass trombone solo performances at the Gewandhaus, Leipzig, East Germany, between 1821 and 1876. Included is the discussion of a newly discovered composition, the Concertino fur Bassposaune und Orchester, by Carl Heinrlch Meyer, which is the earliest concerto for the tenor/bass trombone. Its performance at the Gewandhaus in 1821 marked the beginning of the solo tradition for the tenor/bass trombone, and the Leipzig Gewandhaus became one of the leading centers of solo trombone performance for the next fifty years. The study includes background information on the rise of the virtuoso soloist in nineteenth-century Germany. It specifically focuses on Friedrlch August Belcke and Carl Traugott Queisser and their performances at the Gewandhaus. All solo trombone performances at the Gewandhaus in the nineteenth century have been documented, and specific information has been provided regarding the soloists, dates of performances and repertoire performed on the concerts. The paper includes a discussion of performance reviews from the Allgemeine Musfkalische Zeitung. The conclusion discusses the importance of solo trombone performance at the Gewandhaus, and the reason for its sudden decline after 1876.

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.

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.

This paper analyzes Carl Nielsen's Concerto for Flute and Orchestra. Marilyn Seale Depp identifies the significance of the piece and explores its melodic development, also providing background on Carl Nielsen's philosophy and composition style.

This paper discusses the portrayal of the character of Carmen in the novel written by Prosper Mérimée and in the opera written by Georges Bizet. Sharon Grahnquist provides historical background to the character and her creation, and offers and interpretation of the intended performance.

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.

Bach and Chopin were both virtuosi on their respective keyboard instruments and were considered as successful performers. This study analyzes the Influence of the Preludes from the Well-Tempered Clavier of J. S. Bach on the Preludes and Etudes of Chopin. They both exploited their keyboard instruments to the fullest. The study concluded that what Bach achieved in his preludes and fugues, Chopin imitated in the spirit of his age.

This paper presents a brief history of the alto flute and discusses its use in the orchestral literature of European, Russian and American composers. Analysis of selected passage from various works determine its use as either a solo instrument, doubling or reinforcing voice, or as part of an accompanying line.

The Novelletten of Robert Schumann stand out as unusual among his works for solo piano. It is the largest cycle of character pieces in his output and has other distinguishing features. One unusual aspect of the work is its abundance of literary references which Schumann revealed at various points when it was being composed. This is an aspect unique to this cycle since Schumann's other cycles refer to a single literary source. One of the purposes of this paper is to discuss these numerous literary references which have never been examined in any detail before. Present in the Novelletten is a use of musical motives from works of his wife Clara. There are also musical references to other composers such as Beethoven and Haydn. This quoting of himself and others is not an uncommon practice for Schumann but here, in context with remarks made by Schumann himself about the work, the nature of his use of these musical references becomes more transparent. One of the main points being made through this discussion of literary and musical references in the Novelletten is that partly through these elements the work is unified into an eight movement cycle.

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.