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ORCID
https://orcid.org/ 0000-0002-9816-557X
Date of Graduation
12-2021
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
Department
School of Music
Advisor(s)
Eric Ruple
Eric Guinivan
Gabriel Dobner
Abstract
Augusta Read Thomas (1964-) composes in many genres. Her music is often filled with subtle nuances of articulation and color, and contains many intentional "surprises." Thomas achieves these sound effects by applying three compositional principles: by providing a score with detailed instructions and additional information that result in the feeling of "spontaneity"; by using her "organic" language to transform the connections to the past or to living composers; and by considering all musical elements as one "gestalt" to form her music.
Six Piano Etudes (1996-2005) and Traces (2006) are filled with "surprises," in which the listener can discover elements of unpredictability in the journey to appreciating her music. This document will explore how these three compositional principles are reflected in these two sets, with a focus on Thomas’ own compositional methods of establishing "connections" and "transformations" as an approach to create "unpredictability" within the two sets.
Each of the Six Piano Etudes makes reference to one past or living composer, while each movement of Traces makes references to two composers (or two styles). I will explore how Thomas takes the gestures explored by each of these composers and interprets them by using her own creative ideas. The set-theory analysis will provide examples of Thomas’ "organic language" as she combines every two etudes into one pair in Six Piano Etudes. The analysis of Thomas’ methods of varying the same motive in different ways also illustrates how the composer creates the effect of unpredictability and spontaneity.
Recommended Citation
Zhu, Gianne Ge, "Exploring unpredictability in Augusta Read Thomas' Six Piano Etudes and Traces" (2021). Dissertations, 2020-current. 88.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/diss202029/88
