University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

THE “GOLDEN AGE” OF PIANISM: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF MORIZ ROSENTHAL’S PIANO PARAPHRASES OF JOHANN STRAUSS II’S WALTZES

Wei, Muen

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/90215

Description

Title
THE “GOLDEN AGE” OF PIANISM: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF MORIZ ROSENTHAL’S PIANO PARAPHRASES OF JOHANN STRAUSS II’S WALTZES
Author(s)
Wei, Muen
Issue Date
2016
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Prof. Ian Hobson
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Prof. Ian Hobson
Committee Member(s)
  • Prof. Sever Tipei
  • Prof. John “Chip” Stephens
  • Dr. Susan Parisi
Department of Study
School of Music
Discipline
Music
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
A.Mus.D. (doctoral)
Keyword(s)
  • Moriz
  • Rosenthal
  • Johan
  • Strauss
  • piano
  • music
  • analytical
  • study
  • muen
  • wei
Language
en
Abstract
During the “Golden Age” of pianism (1880-1930), virtuosic transcriptions were popular repertoire in concerts. As the waltz became the rage in Vienna, the waltzes of Johann Strauss were the prime subjects for piano transcriptions. One of the greatest pianists of the era was Moriz Rosenthal, who was recognized by his breathtaking virtuosity and musical depth. His own two Strauss transcriptions, Carnaval de Vienne and Fantasie um Johann Strauss, represent the highest pinnacle in this genre: virtuosity, Viennese identity and wit. The first chapter introduces the background information on the Viennese Waltz in the nineteenth century, and Chapter II presents biography of Rosenthal as a performer and composer. Chapters III and IV offer detailed analyses of Rosenthal’s transcriptional technique in Carnaval de Vienne and Fantasie um Johann Strauss. The analysis showcases the complicated contrapuntal texture and technical demands Rosenthal incorporated in his transcriptions. Chapter V compares Rosenthal’s transcriptions with similar Strauss transcriptions by his contemporaries, Alfred Grünfeld, Adolf Shulz-Evler, and Leopold Godowsky. Chapter VI considers some performance issues and offers some practical suggestions on how to overcome the technical difficulties, as well as addresses issues of the characteristics of Viennese waltzes. The Appendix compiles a list of eighty-nine piano transcriptions of Strauss pieces by Rosenthal and his contemporaries.
Type of Resource
text
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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90215

Owning Collections

Doctoral Project Papers [Option 3] - Music PRIMARY