An Examination of Major Works for Concert Band and Chamber
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AN EXAMINATION OF MAJOR WORKS FOR CONCERT BAND AND CHAMBER ENSEMBLES: DOWN A COUNTRY LANE BY AARON COPLAND, TWO PIECES FROM LIEUTENANT KIJE BY SERGEI PROKOFIEV, AND SUITE IN B-FLAT BY RICHARD STRAUSS by EMILY RENEE ROTH B.A., Doane College, 2009 A REPORT submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree MASTER OF MUSIC School of Music, Theatre, and Dance College of Arts & Sciences KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2015 Approved by: Major Professor Dr. Frank Tracz Abstract The following report is a detailed analysis on the following three pieces: Suite in B-flat by Richard Strauss for woodwind chamber ensemble, Two Pieces from Lieutenant Kije by Sergei Prokofiev for brass and percussion ensemble, and a finally Down a Country Lane by Aaron Copland for concert band. The goal of the analysis is to provide rehearsal information for educational purposes. Aspects of the compositions studied include: background information on the composer and composition, a historical perspective, technical and stylistic considerations, and the musical elements. The researchers perspective on philosophy of music education is also stated as well as the importance of choosing quality literature for pedagogical needs and performance. The goal of this report is to aid future conductors in their performances of the literature and for that reason the seating charts for the ensembles, acoustical justifications, as well as rehearsal plans have been included. Table of Contents List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ vi List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ vii CHAPTER 1 - Introduction and Report Information ..................................................................... 1 Introduction and Statement of Purpose ....................................................................................... 1 Performance Information ............................................................................................................ 2 Music Examined ......................................................................................................................... 2 Format of Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 3 Concert Program ......................................................................................................................... 4 CHAPTER 2 - Music Education Mission Statement .................................................................... 24 Students as Lifelong Learners ............................................................................................... 24 Student-Centered Learning ................................................................................................... 24 Education as a Social Environment ...................................................................................... 25 Communicating Emotions .................................................................................................... 26 CHAPTER 3 - Quality Literature Selection ................................................................................. 28 Literature ................................................................................................................................... 28 Selecting Literature ................................................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER 4 - Suite in B-Flat, Op. 4, Movement II: Romanze by Richard Strauss .................... 31 Unit I. Composer ....................................................................................................................... 31 Unit II. Composition ................................................................................................................. 38 Unit III. Historical Perspective ................................................................................................. 39 Unit IV. Technical Considerations ........................................................................................... 40 Unit V. Stylistic Considerations ............................................................................................... 42 Unit VI. Musical Elements ....................................................................................................... 42 Melody .................................................................................................................................. 42 Harmony ............................................................................................................................... 43 Rhythm .................................................................................................................................. 44 Timbre ................................................................................................................................... 45 Unit VII. Form and Structure .................................................................................................... 46 iii Unit VIII. Suggested Listening ................................................................................................. 47 Unit IX. Seating Chart and Acoustical Justification ................................................................. 48 Unit X. Rehearsal Plans and Evaluations ................................................................................. 49 Rehearsal Plan – Rehearsal #1 .......................................................................................... 49 CHAPTER 5 - Two Pieces from Lieutenant Kije by Sergei Prokofieff, arr. Fisher Tull ............. 50 Unit I. Composer ....................................................................................................................... 50 Unit II. Composition ................................................................................................................. 55 Unit III. Historical Perspective ................................................................................................. 56 Unit IV. Technical Considerations ........................................................................................... 57 Unit V. Stylistic Considerations ............................................................................................... 59 Unit VI. Musical Elements ....................................................................................................... 60 Melody .................................................................................................................................. 60 “Wedding of Kije” ............................................................................................................ 60 Troika ................................................................................................................................ 60 Harmony ............................................................................................................................... 60 “Wedding of Kije” ............................................................................................................ 60 “Troika” ............................................................................................................................ 61 Rhythm .................................................................................................................................. 61 “Wedding of Kije” ............................................................................................................ 61 “Troika” ............................................................................................................................ 62 Timbre ................................................................................................................................... 62 Unit VII. Form and Structure .................................................................................................... 63 “Wedding of Kije” ............................................................................................................ 63 “Troika” ............................................................................................................................ 63 Unit VIII. Suggested Listening ................................................................................................. 64 Unit IX. Seating Chart and Acoustical Justification ................................................................. 65 Unit X. Rehearsal Plans and Evaluations ................................................................................. 66 Rehearsal Plan – Rehearsal #2 .......................................................................................... 66 Rehearsal Plan – Rehearsal #3 .......................................................................................... 67 Rehearsal Plan – Rehearsal #3 .......................................................................................... 68 Rehearsal Plan – Rehearsal #4 .......................................................................................... 69 iv Rehearsal Plan – Rehearsal #5 .......................................................................................... 70 CHAPTER 6 - Down a Country Lane by Aaron Copland, transcribed by Merlin Patterson ....... 71 Unit I. Composer ......................................................................................................................