Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Date of Graduation
5-15-2026
Semester of Graduation
Spring
Degree Name
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
Department
School of Music
First Advisor
Gabriel Dobner
Second Advisor
Lori Piitz
Third Advisor
Katherine Axtell
Abstract
This document offers an individual interpretive insight into Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons, Op. 37bis, a set of twelve character pieces for solo piano. It explores the atmosphere, moods, and colors of the subject matter of each of these musical scenes, so that an imaginative but authentic context may emerge to experience the piece. The discussion is organized into three sections of four months each, opening with the beginning of Russian winter and ending with autumn in accordance with the Old Russian calendar. Each section includes cultural context, musical analysis, and suggestions for effective performance.
