University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

A PERFORMER’S GUIDE TO THE SOLO VIOLIN MUSIC OF AUGUSTA READ THOMAS

Shin, Sun-Young Gemma

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/90243

Description

Title
A PERFORMER’S GUIDE TO THE SOLO VIOLIN MUSIC OF AUGUSTA READ THOMAS
Author(s)
Shin, Sun-Young Gemma
Issue Date
2015
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Professor Stephen A. Taylor
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Professor Stephen A. Taylor
Committee Member(s)
  • Professor Charlotte Mattax Moersch
  • Professor Jeffrey Magee
  • Professor of Practice at Indiana University Simin Ganatra
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)
  • music
  • violin
  • augusta
  • read
  • thomas
  • solo
  • Sun-Young
  • Gemma
  • Shin
Language
en
Abstract
This essay offers an analysis of Augusta Read Thomas’s five solo violin works; Incantation (1995), Pulsar (2003), Rush (2004), Caprice (2005), and Dream Catcher (2008). As over ten years have passed between the first published solo violin work Incantation (1995) and Dream Catcher (2008), they provide some scope on the contemporary violin literature, as well as the evolution of Thomas’s own compositional style. This essay addresses the genesis of each work in chronological order. It gives a comparative analysis of the five pieces and how they interlink with each other, and also presents some of the prominent gestures and rhythmic figures that frequently appear in Thomas’s compositions. The analyses are based on structure, motives, timbre, pitches, and harmony, with recurring intervals and gestures that help with musical interpretation. Finally it also contains performance practice suggestions for certain idiomatic and technical challenges found in these works. I hope musicians interested in Thomas’ string works find this essay beneficial for understanding her musical language\s in this particular genre.
Type of Resource
text
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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90243

Owning Collections

Doctoral Project Papers [Option 3] - Music PRIMARY