A Divine Round Trip: the Literary and Christological Function of the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif in the Gospel of John

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

A Divine Round Trip: the Literary and Christological Function of the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif in the Gospel of John University of Denver Digital Commons @ DU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 1-1-2014 A Divine Round Trip: The Literary and Christological Function of the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif in the Gospel of John Susan Elizabeth Humble University of Denver Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd Part of the Biblical Studies Commons Recommended Citation Humble, Susan Elizabeth, "A Divine Round Trip: The Literary and Christological Function of the Descent/ Ascent Leitmotif in the Gospel of John" (2014). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 978. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/978 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at Digital Commons @ DU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ DU. For more information, please contact [email protected],[email protected]. A Divine Round Trip: The Literary and Christological Function of the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif in the Gospel of John _________ A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the University of Denver and the Iliff School of Theology Joint PhD Program University of Denver ________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy _________ by Susan Elizabeth Humble November 2014 Advisor: Gregory Robbins ©Copyright by Susan Elizabeth Humble 2014 All Rights Reserved Author: Susan Elizabeth Humble Title: A Divine Round Trip: The Literary and Christological Function of the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif in the Gospel of John Advisor: Gregory Robbins Degree Date: November 2014 ABSTRACT The thesis of this dissertation is that the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif, which includes the language of not only descending and ascending, but also going, coming, and being sent, performs a significant literary and christological function in the Gospel of John. The Evangelist’s Descent/Ascent Leitmotif becomes the Gospel’s organizing principal, drawing together a constellation of verbs and a number of themes, including Jesus-Son’s origin, identity, relationship to God, authority, signs and works, life, and glory. In the introductory chapter, after providing a layout of the dissertation, the discussion turns to the spacial dimensions and christological importance of the vertical and horizontal depictions of the descending, ascending, coming, going, and being sent verbs. The focus of chapter two is to explain and illustrate, using a version of the Cinderella story, a method that serves to identify the Leitmotif and the verbs, motifs, and themes the Leitmotif draws within its constellation. This approach, titled a thematic structural method, integrates works from thematic scholars Horst Daemmrich and Eugene Falk with works from literary structural scholars A. J Greimas and Roland Barthes, and is a tool to analyze the influence of the Leitmotif as the Gospel’s organizing principal on the relationships between the Leitmotif and numerous themes from which John’s Christology emerges. The task of chapter three is to explain the rationale for the selection of the Leitmotif’s verbs of descending, ascending, coming, going, and being sent. ii Chapters four and five investigate how the Evangelist, with the repetition of the Leitmotif, constructs his narrative to tell the story of the historical Jesus and shape the Evangelist’s Christology. Additionally, the focus is to analyze the transforming influences of the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif on the themes of Jesus-Son’s origin, identity, relationship to the Father, and authority, through his signs and works, life, and glory. The Descent/Ascent Leitmotif depicts a divine round trip, and the emphasis of chapter six is to examine the role of the Leitmotif in Jesus-Son’s departure from the world and return to God. The Evangelist’s use of the Leitmotif in Jesus’ prayer to the Father (John 17) and the promise of the Paraclete are included in this chapter. Due to the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif’s inherent spatial overtones, elements related to Jesus’ return, including heaven, world, the hour, and his form after his resurrection, are explored from a cosmological and ontological perspective. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Few meaningful projects in life are accomplished without the support from others. This project is no exception. The support began with the faculty of Master’s biblical studies program at the Claremont School of Theology: Greg Riley, Dennis MacDonald, Kristin DeTroyer, and Marvin Sweeney. A special thanks to the biblical and religious program faculties at Iliff School of Theology and University of Denver for their teaching, guiding, and support through the PhD program: Pamela Eisenbaum, Mark George, and Alison Schofield. I am particularly indebted to my dissertation committee: My chair, Gregory Robbins who never ceased to amaze me with his insightful comments regarding the Gospel of John. Ann Graham-Brock for her willingness to be a valuable conversation partner and share her perceptive knowledge on John. Adam Rovner for his patience and guidance in my grasping of narratology, structuralism, and thematics. Carrie Doehring who graciously volunteered her skill and time to chair my dissertation defense. To all of you, your dedication and interest to the success of this project shall always be remembered. My gratitude for the Johannine scholars whose works I have learned so much from and have enjoyed reading. To my family and friends, thank you. To all who always asked about and patiently listened to my wrestling’s and progress with this dissertation, your support is greatly appreciated. A special recognition to my family: my father Omer Humble, sisters Sally Goodnight and Sarah Humble, thank you. I want to thank from the depth of my heart my partner Karen Dumford who has been my support and rock these many years. Blessings dear ones. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter One: Introduction .................................................................................................. 1 The Beginning of the Journey ................................................................................. 1 Steps in the Study of the Divine Round Trip .......................................................... 7 The Spatial Dimensions of the Divine Round Trip and the Relationship between Jesus-Son’s Vertical and Horizontal Movements ..................................... 9 Chapter Two: Methodology—Constructing a Thematic Structural Method .................... 15 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 15 Thematic Structural Method ................................................................................. 16 An Application of the Method to Cinderella ............................................ 18 A Thematic Structural Method: Contributions by Scholars ................................. 24 Contributions by Thematic Scholars ......................................................... 26 Contributions by Structural Scholars ........................................................ 30 A Common Theory of the Relationship Between Motifs and Themes ................. 37 The Importance of a Thematic Structural Method ................................................ 37 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 38 Chapter Three: The Descent/Ascent Leitmotif ................................................................. 39 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 39 Application of a Thematic Structural Model to the Gospel of John ..................... 40 The Descent/Ascent Leitmotif .............................................................................. 43 Reasons for Inclusion of Coming, Going, and Being Sent Actions ...................... 45 Lexical Analysis of the Verbs ............................................................................... 50 Jesus-Son’s Descent .................................................................................. 50 Jesus-Son’s Ascent .................................................................................... 52 Diversity of Perspectives ...................................................................................... 55 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 62 Chapter Four: Christological Function of the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif Related to Jesus’ Origin, Identity, and Relationship to God .............................................................. 64 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 64 The Christology of Jesus-Son’s Origin and the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif .......... 66 Jesus-Son’s Origin Clarified by the Leitmotif ...................................................... 68 Tensions Reconciling Jesus’ Divine Origin and Human Origin ............... 73 Pre-existence: A Component of Jesus-Son’s Origin ................................. 74 Summary of the Theme of Jesus-Son’s Origin and the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif ......................................................................... 76 The Christology of Jesus’ Identity and the Descent/Ascent Leitmotif ................. 76 Jesus-Son’s Identity Clarified by the Leitmotif ........................................ 78 The Evangelist’s Titles for Jesus .............................................................
Recommended publications
  • St Michael & All Angels
    Events for the week 20th —26th March 2016 th St Michael & All Angels Sun 20 10.30am Choir Practice Choir Vestry Wed 23rd 6.30pm Junior Choir Practice Choir Vestry Macclesfield Team Ministry 7.30pm Full Choir Practice Choir Vestry Our Purpose To journey inward and upward to God, whom we know in Jesus, To journey outward to other people and to all creation. Thurs 24th 10.00am Toddler Group St Michael’s 10.30am Holy Communion St Michael’s Welcome 1.00pm Toddler Group St Michael’s If you are visiting, we hope you feel at home. A welcome card is available 7.30pm Bell ringing Bell Tower near the entrance or from a sides-person. If you are new, please complete Sat 26th 10.00am Saturday Prayer Meeting Savage Chapel, St Michael’s one and hand it to a sides-person, so that we can keep in touch. Next week’s services Sunday 20th March 2016 Palm Sunday Maundy Thursday 23rd March 7.30pm Tenebrae Service: United Reformed Church th 9.30 Storytelling Service 11.00 Holy Communion Good Friday 24 March 10.30am Good Friday Service Leader Mike Strutt Good Friday 24th March 2.00-4.00pm Contemplating the Cross: Savage Chapel th Leader Jenny Speaker Rev’d Barry Langman Easter Sunday 27 March: 10.30am Joint Service of Holy Communion Storyteller Gemma Story The Last Passover Bible Passages Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Adult Leader Sue Luke 19:28-40 Electronic version of church notice sheet Roots Leader Jenny If you wish to be included in the list of those who receive the church notice sheet electronically each week, please email Lynne Spedding at [email protected] Roots Passage Luke 19:28-40 Roots Leaders George & Ruth Songs Make way Roots Passage Luke 19:28-40 Scout and Guide Groups We are on the Lord’s road Macclesfield Parish Church Scout and Guide Group provides youth Hymns activities throughout the week for young people aged from 5 - 26 as well MP 7 All creatures of our God and king as flexible volunteering opportunities for adults.
    [Show full text]
  • Jesus Is Crucified
    Unit 26, Session 5 Unit 26, Session 5 Jesus Is Crucified SESSION IN A SENTENCE: Jesus was rejected, mocked, and forsaken as He was unjustly condemned to die, but He gave up His life willingly on the cross to glorify the Father and bring us to Him. BACKGROUND PASSAGE: Mark 15:6-47 The early Christians could have chosen plenty of symbols to represent Jesus and the gospel: the dove as a symbol of the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus at His baptism; hands as a symbol of Jesus’ healing touch; the boat from which He calmed a storm; a royal scepter as a symbol of the kingdom He came to proclaim; the mountain on which He was transfigured in glory; palm branches as a symbol of His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Any of these could have been worthy symbols of Jesus’ life and ministry, but instead, the early Christians chose a cross as their most important symbol, representing Jesus’ sacrificial death, a centerpiece of the gospel. What are some ways you have seen the cross used to represent the Christian faith? 84 Date of My Bible Study: ______________________________ © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources Group Time Point 1: Jesus is the rejected Savior of the world (Mark 15:6,11-15). 6 At the festival Pilate used to release for the people a prisoner whom they requested … 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead. 12 Pilate asked them again, “Then what do you want me to do with the one you call the king of the Jews?” 13 Again they shouted, “Crucify him!” 14 Pilate said to them, “Why? What has he done wrong?” But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!” 15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them; and after having Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified.
    [Show full text]
  • Academic FM Temp
    The Resurrection of the Messiah A Narrative Commentary on the Resurrection Accounts in the Four Gospels Francis J. Moloney, SDB PAULIST PRESS New York / Mahwah, NJ The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the author’s own translation and the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Cover image by fotogiunta/Shutterstock.com Cover and book design by Sharyn Banks Copyright © 2013 by Francis J. Moloney All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the Publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Moloney, Francis J. The resurrection of the Messiah : a narrative commentary on the Resurrection accounts in the four gospels / Francis J. Moloney, SDB. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8091-4847-9 (alk. paper) — ISBN 978-1-58768-296-4 1. Jesus Christ—Resurrection. 2. Passion narratives (Gospels) 3. Bible. Gospels— Commentaries. 4. Bible. Gospels—Criticism, Narrative. I. Title. BT482.M65 2013 226`.06—dc23 2013024105 ISBN: 978-0-8091-4847-9 (paperback) ISBN: 978-1-58768-296-4 (e-book) Published by Paulist Press 997 Macarthur Boulevard Mahwah, New Jersey 07430 www.paulistpress.com Printed and bound
    [Show full text]
  • A Computational Lens Into How Music Characterizes Genre in Film Abstract
    A computational lens into how music characterizes genre in film Benjamin Ma1Y*, Timothy Greer1Y*, Dillon Knox1Y*, Shrikanth Narayanan1,2 1 Department of Computer Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA 2 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA YThese authors contributed equally to this work. * [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Abstract Film music varies tremendously across genre in order to bring about different responses in an audience. For instance, composers may evoke passion in a romantic scene with lush string passages or inspire fear throughout horror films with inharmonious drones. This study investigates such phenomena through a quantitative evaluation of music that is associated with different film genres. We construct supervised neural network models with various pooling mechanisms to predict a film's genre from its soundtrack. We use these models to compare handcrafted music information retrieval (MIR) features against VGGish audio embedding features, finding similar performance with the top-performing architectures. We examine the best-performing MIR feature model through permutation feature importance (PFI), determining that mel-frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC) and tonal features are most indicative of musical differences between genres. We investigate the interaction between musical and visual features with a cross-modal analysis, and do not find compelling evidence that music characteristic of a certain genre implies low-level visual features associated with that genre. Furthermore, we provide software code to replicate this study at https://github.com/usc-sail/mica-music-in-media. This work adds to our understanding of music's use in multi-modal contexts and offers the potential for future inquiry into human affective experiences.
    [Show full text]
  • Greg Goswell, “Early Readers of the Gospels: the KEPHALAIA and TITLOI of Codex Alexandrinus”
    [JGRChJ 6 (2009) 134-74] EARLY READERS OF THE GOSPELS: THE KEPHALAIA AND TITLOI OF CODEX ALEXANDRINUS Greg Goswell Presbyterian Theological College, Melbourne, Australia For the New Testament, the oldest system of capitulation (division into chapters) known to us is that preserved in Codex Vaticanus (B 03) of the fourth century.1 I will use the notation V1, V2 etc. to refer to chapters of Vaticanus. Even a cursory examination of Vaticanus is enough to reveal that the divisions represent an evaluation of what are the sense units of the biblical passages. Each successive chapter in the Gospels is numbered using Greek letters written in red ink to the left of the columns. Capitulation is further indicated by a space of (usually) two letters at the close of the preceding chapter, a short horizontal line (paragraphos) above the first letter of the first whole line of the new chapter marking the close of the preceding paragraph, and sometimes by a letter protruding into the left margin (ekthesis).2 The system of 1. H.K. McArthur, ‘The Earliest Divisions of the Gospels’, in Studia Evangelica, III. 2 (ed. F.L. Cross; Texte und Untersuchungen, 88; Berlin: Akademie Verlag, 1964), pp. 266-72. After rejecting three other possible explanations, McAr- thur suggests that the divisions were used for citation purposes, especially in aca- demic circles. For alternate systems of chapter division in Greek versions of the Old Testament, see Robert Devreesse, Introduction à l’étude des manuscrits grecs (Paris: Klincksieck, 1954), pp. 139-41. The major divisions in Vaticanus are called chapters, while those in Alexandrinus, which are the basis of the standard divisions used in Nestle-Aland (Novum Testamentum Graece [27th Edition] = NTG27) are called kephalaia.
    [Show full text]
  • ATINER's Conference Paper Series LNG2015-1680
    ATINER CONFERENCE PAPER SERIES No: LNG2014-1176 Athens Institute for Education and Research ATINER ATINER's Conference Paper Series LNG2015-1680 Transformed Precedent Phrases in the Headlines of Online Media Texts. Paratextual Aspect Darya Mironova Associate Professor Chelyabinsk State University Russia 1 ATINER CONFERENCE PAPER SERIES No: LNG2015-1680 An Introduction to ATINER's Conference Paper Series ATINER started to publish this conference papers series in 2012. It includes only the papers submitted for publication after they were presented at one of the conferences organized by our Institute every year. This paper has been peer reviewed by at least two academic members of ATINER. Dr. Gregory T. Papanikos President Athens Institute for Education and Research This paper should be cited as follows: Mironova, D. (2015). "Transformed Precedent Phrases in the Headlines of Online Media Texts. Paratextual Aspect", Athens: ATINER'S Conference Paper Series, No: LNG2015-1680. Athens Institute for Education and Research 8 Valaoritou Street, Kolonaki, 10671 Athens, Greece Tel: + 30 210 3634210 Fax: + 30 210 3634209 Email: [email protected] URL: www.atiner.gr URL Conference Papers Series: www.atiner.gr/papers.htm Printed in Athens, Greece by the Athens Institute for Education and Research. All rights reserved. Reproduction is allowed for non-commercial purposes if the source is fully acknowledged. ISSN: 2241-2891 04/11/2015 ATINER CONFERENCE PAPER SERIES No: LNG2015-1680 Transformed Precedent Phrases in the Headlines of Online Media Texts. Paratextual Aspect Darya Mironova Associate Professor Chelyabinsk State University Russia Abstract The paper studies transformed precedent phrases in the headlines of American and British online media texts with the aim to explore paratextual peculiarities of their functioning.
    [Show full text]
  • Animals, Mimesis, and the Origin of Language
    Animals, Mimesis, and the Origin of Language Kári Driscoll One imitates only if one fails, when one fails. Gilles Deleuze, Félix Guattari, A Thousand Plateaus Prelude: Forest Murmurs Reclining under a linden tree in the forest in Act II of Richard Wagner’s opera Siegfried, the titular hero is struck by the sound of a bird singing above him. “Du holdes Vöglein! / Dich hört’ ich noch nie,” he exclaims.1 Having just been musing on the identity of his mother, whom he never knew, Siegfried interprets the interruption as a message of some sort: “Verstünd’ ich sein süßes Stammeln! / Gewiß sagt’ es mir ’was, / vielleicht von der lieben Mutter?” He cannot understand the bird’s song, but it simply must be saying something to him; if only he could learn its language somehow. (Er sinnt nach. Sein Blick fällt auf ein Rohrgebüsch unweit der Linde.) Hei! ich versuch’s, sing’ ihm nach: auf dem Rohr tön’ ich ihm ähnlich! Entrath’ ich der Worte, achte der Weise, sing’ ich so seine Sprache, versteh’ ich wohl auch, was es spricht. (Er hat sich mit dem Schwerte ein Rohr abgeschnitten, und schnitzt sich eine Pfeife draus.)2 Siegfried’s reasoning here presupposes a direct correlation between imitation (μίμησις) and speech (λόγος): simply replicating the sound of this utterance will automatically provide access to the meaning of that utterance. According to such a mimetic model of language, the signifier and the signified are one and the same. Readers familiar with the opera will already know the outcome of Siegfried’s attempt to imitate the forest bird, but for the moment suffice it 1 Richard Wagner: “Zweiter Tag: Siegfried.” In: Gesammelte Schriften und Dichtungen.
    [Show full text]
  • PALM SUNDAY of the PASSION of the LORD (5 April 2020) Judas to Betray Jesus
    PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD (5 April 2020) Judas to Betray Jesus Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. The Passover with the Disciples Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.” Institution of the Lord’s Supper Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
    [Show full text]
  • Mark 15:21-32 — the Crucifixion
    Mark 15:21-32 — The Crucifixion November 1, 2020 Turn to Mark 15:21. While you are turning, you need to know that today, and the next three weeks, are special at CrossWinds. We are studying the most important events in the history of the world. Today, we are studying the crucifixion of Jesus. Next week is the death of Jesus. The following week is the burial of Jesus. Finally, we will look at the resurrection of Jesus. Nothing is more important than Jesus’ death and resurrection. Everything in the Gospel of Mark leads up to these events. That is what makes today, and the next few weeks, so special. Let’s read our passage before we study it. And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour when they crucified him. And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!” So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study of Music As an Integral Part
    A Study of Music as an Integral Part of the Spoken Drama in the American Professional Theatre: 1930-1955 By MAY ELIZABETH BURTON A DISSERTATION PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA August, 1956 PREFACE This is a study of why and how music is integrated with spoken drama in the contemporary American professional theatre. Very little has been written on the subject, so that knowledge of actual practices is limited to those people who are closely associated with commercial theatre-- composers, producers, playwrights, and musicians. There- fore, a summation and analysis of these practices will contribute to the existing body of knowledge about the contemporary American theatre. It is important that a study of the 1930-1955 period be made while it is still contemporary, since analysis at a later date would be hampered by a scarcity of detailed production records and the tendency not to copyright and publish theatre scores. Consequently, any accurate data about the status of music in our theatre must be gathered and re- corded while the people responsible for music integration are available for reference and correspondence. Historically, the period from 1930 to 1^55 is important because it has been marked by numerous fluc- tuations both in society and in the theatre. There are evidences of the theatre's ability to serve as a barometer of social and economic conditions. A comprehension of the ii degree and manner in which music has been a part of the theatre not only will provide a better understanding of the relationship between our specific theatre idiom and society, but suggests the degree to which it differs from that fostered by previous theatre cultures.
    [Show full text]
  • The Death of Jesus Matthew 27:27-56 June 9Th, 2019 Big Idea
    The Death of Jesus Matthew 27:27-56 June 9th, 2019 Big idea: Jesus was mocked, beaten, and crucified by men and he was temporarily separated from His Father to save us. Intro In 1914 Ernest Shackelton set out with a group of men to be the first to cross the continent of Antarctica. Others had already beaten him to the south pole so he needed a new goal. The plan was to take his stout ship, the Endurance, specially designed for an icy voyage with a hull up to 12” thick, to the coast of Antarctica, disembark with a small group of men to cross the continent, while the rest of the crew remained on the boat and met them on the other side. It never happened. What did happen was one of the most amazing stories of human endurance. But if you read about the journey, at every stage you think, “This can’t get any worse.” And then it does. On the journey was a brilliant and committed photographer from New Zealand whose job was to capture pictures that could be sold in a book after the journey to recoup the costs of the trip. They left the South Georgia island in December (the arctic summer) but before they reached the continent their boat was frozen fast in an immovable ice-flow by the end of January. Realizing that they would need to spend the winter, they made the best of it and settled in to a routine of life on a boat frozen in ice in the arctic winter.
    [Show full text]
  • Classifying Leitmotifs in Recordings of Operas by Richard Wagner
    CLASSIFYING LEITMOTIFS IN RECORDINGS OF OPERAS BY RICHARD WAGNER Michael Krause, Frank Zalkow, Julia Zalkow, Christof Weiß, Meinard Müller International Audio Laboratories Erlangen, Germany {michael.krause,meinard.mueller}@audiolabs-erlangen.de ABSTRACT Barenboim From the 19th century on, several composers of Western Thielemann opera made use of leitmotifs (short musical ideas referring to semantic entities such as characters, places, items, or Performances Boulez feelings) for guiding the audience through the plot and il- lustrating the events on stage. A prime example of this compositional technique is Richard Wagner’s four-opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen. Across its different occur- rences in the score, a leitmotif may undergo considerable Classification musical variations. Additionally, the concrete leitmotif in- Ring Motif stances in an audio recording are subject to acoustic vari- Horn Motif ability. Our paper approaches the task of classifying such Leitmotifs leitmotif instances in audio recordings. As our main con- tribution, we conduct a case study on a dataset covering 16 Figure 1. Illustration of example leitmotifs (red for the recorded performances of the Ring with annotations of ten Horn motif, blue for the Ring motif) occurring several central leitmotifs, leading to 2403 occurrences and 38448 times in the Ring cycle and across different performances. instances in total. We build a neural network classification model and evaluate its ability to generalize across differ- cycle, so do their corresponding leitmotifs. This allows the ent performances and leitmotif occurrences. Our findings audience to identify these concepts not only through text or demonstrate the possibilities and limitations of leitmotif visuals, but also in a musical way.
    [Show full text]