Date

11-2020

Department

School of Music

Degree

Master of Arts in Music Education (MA)

Chair

Paul Rumrill

Keywords

Chopin, Musical Elements, Nocturnes, Ballades, Preludes

Disciplines

Fine Arts | Music | Music Education

Abstract

Frederic Chopin composed many great piano works that musicians have enjoyed and studied since the Romantic Era. These pieces continue to be performed around the world. This research focuses on specific aspects of selections of Chopin’s literature, and how those aspects can be taught to those unfamiliar with his works. The goal is to teach others to appreciate his works. The research problem investigated in this study is to determine the melodic qualities of the pianistic texture in Chopin’s solo piano works that are identifiable by theoretical analysis and public performance. The methodology used in this study will be score study and qualitative research. The hypothesis is that there are certain melodic qualities in Chopin’s piano works that can be identified, including pedal tones, embellished phrases, theme and variations, inner melodies, harmonic/overtone pedaling and opposing rhythms. These qualities were found in several of Chopin’s works and have been discovered as identifiable by theoretical analysis. Pedal tones can be found in the Prelude in D-flat major, Op. 28, No. 15, Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 1, and Ballade No. 3 in A major, Op. 47. Embellished phrases can be found in the Prelude in D-flat major, Op. 28, No. 15 and Nocturne in E minor, Op. 72, No. 1. Theme and variations can be found in the Ballade No. 3 in A major, Op. 47, Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52 and Nocturne in E minor, Op. 72, No. 1. Inner melodies can be found in the Prelude in D-flat major, Op. 28, No. 15 and Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 1. Harmonic/Overtone pedaling can be found in the Prelude in D-flat major, Op. 28, No. 15 and Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 1. Lastly, opposing melodies can be found in the Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52 and Nocturne in E minor, Op. 72, No. 1. A lecture recital will be given focusing on these pieces to show the audience these melodic qualities both visually and aurally.

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