Login

Publications  •  Project Statistics

Glossary  •  Schools  •  Disciplines
People Search: 
   
Title/Abstract Search: 

Dissertation Information for Jon Christopher Nelson

NAME:
- Jon Christopher Nelson

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Musicology

SCHOOL:
- Brandeis University (USA) (1991)

ADVISORS:
- None

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected

Title: Compositional technique in Elliott Carter's "Penthode": A study in phraseology and formal design

Abstract: "Elliott Carter's Penthode (1985) contains striking juxtapositions between the fluid, almost seamless melodic lines of the sections that frame the work and the disjunct, fractured melodic configurations that characterize the middle section. This dissertation examines the phraseological structures in these contrasting sections to identify, compare, and contrast the phrase-delimiting compositional techniques incorporated in Penthode. Despite the apparent differences between Penthode's diverse phraseological structures, my analyses reveal that recurring motivic patterns which are registrally distinct consistently function as primary phrase delimiters throughout the entire composition, while subsidiary harmonic, textural, and rhythmic devices reinforce the phrase divisions. Furthermore, through his consistent use of phraseological devices, Carter creates a network of referential articulations that define Penthode's large formal structure.

Following a brief overview of Penthode in the first chapter, the second chapter presents an analysis of the flowing lines in the first six measures. In these measures Carter creates musical articulations by restating pitches and motives as well as by moving pitches registrally. The resultant articulations punctuate the fluid melody, thereby creating subtle phrase divisions. After highlighting Penthode's initial cadential patterns, chapter three examines the relationship between the phrases in the first twenty-eight measures. The fourth chapter proceeds with an analysis of the disjunct phrases in the contrasting middle section. Here, the dissertation probes Carter's methods for uniting phrase fragments into larger composite contrapuntal structures. The fifth chapter places Penthode's local phrase articulations within a larger context, devoting special attention to the structural role of referential articulations. Reflections on the theoretical implications of these analyses, moreover, provide valuable insight not only into Elliott Carter's compositional technique, but also into the general nature of atonal phrase structure."

MPACT Scores for Jon Christopher Nelson

A = 0
C = 1
A+C = 1
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:21:39

Advisors and Advisees Graph

generating graph, please reload

Students under Jon Christopher Nelson

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- Jason A. Holmes - University of North Texas (2003)