Composers have historically
utilized outside influences to inspire their instrumental compositions.
As early as Franz Liszt, the incorporation of influences from art was employed.
An example is Hunnenschlacht (1857), a symphonic tone poem based on Wilhelm
von Kaulbach's fresco of the same name. Although composers have used
art as their inspiration, few, if any, have utilized a systematic process
to investigate the art work itself. This has remained constant through
the last twenty-five years.
This dissertation
employed a systematic process to investigate five paintings by Norwegian
artist Edvard Munch. The information from this critical analysis
was then utilized in the composition process for five movements of music
for chamber orchestra. The analysis model created by Gene A. Mittler,
Ph.D., was modified to enable the composer to study the paintings The Scream,
Red and White, The Dance of Life, Melancholy, and The Dead Mother and Child.
Through the art-criticism process, the composer analyzed the five paintings
for their imitational properties and art elements, the employment of the
formal principles of art, and to seek a personal understanding of the emotional
content. Historical background of the paintings, the series known
as The Frieze of Life, and a brief biography of Edvard Munch were investigated
in the art-history approach of the model. Resulting information was
employed in the compositional process to create "Frieze of Life: Music
for Chamber Orchestra."
Frieze of Life employs
thirty-four instrumentalists in a variety of ensembles. The woodwind
complement includes a flutist doubling on alto flute and piccolo; oboist
doubling on English horn; clarinetist doubling on clarinets in A, B-flat,
E-flat, and bass clarinet; and a bassoonist. The brass complement
consists of trumpet, horn, and trombone. The work requires three
percussion players performing on a variety of instruments, and one harpist.
The string section employs a minimum of twenty-three players: six first
violins, six second violins, four violas, four violoncellos, and three
double basses.
A brief overview
of program music and music that is influenced by art is included.
Appendices contain the score to Frieze of Life, color plates of the five
Munch paintings, and a selected bibliography of compositions inspired by
art.
The is more to come...so please bear with me while the site is under construction.
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