Textural and Harmonic Density in Selected Choral Works (1992--2003) by Eric Whitacre

Larson, Andrew Lloyd

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Description

Title

Textural and Harmonic Density in Selected Choral Works (1992--2003) by Eric Whitacre

Author(s)

Larson, Andrew Lloyd

Issue Date

2004

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Alwes, Chester L.

Department of Study

Music

Discipline

Music

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

D.M.A.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

Music

Language

eng

Abstract

This document is an objective analysis of thirteen works composed between 1992 and 2003 by Eric Whitacre (b.1970). The author's experience in performing these choral works led him to believe that the composer's process had produced consistent stylistic traits between each composition. Published scholarly resources on this choral repertoire are non-existent; hence, the author developed his own system of analyzing Whitacre's choral music. Traditional, Roman-numeral analysis of this repertoire is only possible in a few segments throughout these works; a linear analysis was much more elucidating. The author created a system for mapping textural density variation on linear graphs. These graphs, combined with the author's explanation of Whitacre's voice-leading process, provide a clear understanding of Whitacre's compositional process. The author has concluded that in the works studied, Whitacre uses traditional melodies and triadic chord structures; he then creates harmonic and motion by adding or removing tones from the choral texture through specific voice leading techniques.

Graduation Semester

2004

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/85739

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