Extended program notes for thesis recital

Chaconne, Transcription for Piano in D minor J.S. Bach (arr. Ferruccio Busoni) Reflets dans l'eau from Images, Book 1 Claude Debussy A la Albeniz Rodion Shchedrin Basso Ostinato from Two Polyphonic Pieces Sonata-Reminiscenza, Op. 38, No. 1 Nikolai Medtner Die Loreley, S. 532 Franz Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6

A graduate piano recital : an analytical study

The purpose of this thesis is to provide a historical and musical analysis that illustrates characteristic features of musical compositions from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Twentieth century styles. The structural analysis of the pieces reveal the evolution in the musical expression regarding line, texture, form, and the technical skills employed by the composers through polyphonic, homophonic, and twelve-tone procedures. The works of this recital represent four different styles: The prelude and fugue among the important forms of the Baroque style; the sonata embodying the principles of balance and unity of the Classical style; the etude and waltz as representative of the Romantic style; and the nocturne as an illustration of the transformation of the melody, harmony, and rhythm in the music of the 20thcentury.