ABSTRACT
Extended Tonality
and Voice Leading in "Twelve Songs," Op. 27 by
Alexander Zemlinsky
AUTHOR: Hoffman, Stanley M.
TITLE: Extended Tonality and Voice Leading in "Twelve
Songs," Op. 27 by Alexander Zemlinsky
INSTITUTION: Brandeis University Department of Music, Slosberg
Bldg., 415 South Street, Waltham, MA 02254
BEGUN: September, 1990
COMPLETION: February, 1993
ABSTRACT: Alexander (von) Zemlinsky (1871-1942) was not only a
renowned composer, but was also highly regarded as a conductor.
Although he was Schoenberg's teacher and brother-in-law, and a
friend to both Webern and Berg, Zemlinsky never composed
twelve-tone music. His compositions reflect an individualistic
reaction to several of the prevailing modes of composition during
a time of great political, social, and artistic upheaval.
Zemlinsky's late compositions employ extended tonality and voice
leading in a personal way. No published theoretical writings
offer a detailed analytical approach to the mature compositions
of this post-Romantic composer. For this reason, as well as for
the music's beauty and integrity of craftsmanship I wrote on
Zemlinsky's Twelve Songs, Op. 27 composed in the years 1937 and
1938. This work offers twelve microcosmic examples of his mature
compositional style. Each song posesses unique musical qualities
worthy of analysis. The major topic for discussion in this paper
will be Zemlinsky's use of extended tonality, with considerable
emphasis placed upon voice leading considerations. Other issues
covered will include the contention that Op. 27 is a song cycle,
not merely a set of twelve songs, and that tonal forces govern
the organization of the piece as a whole. The form of each song,
including phraseological interpretations, the possible expressive
motivations behind the choice and ordering of the texts, and the
word-painting will be addressed. In addition, differences between
Zemlinsky's manuscript and the published score will be discussed.
KEYWORDS: tonality, modality, intervalic, phrasing, cyclic,
word-painting African-American, Sanskrit, German, Jewish
TOC: Chapter 1 - Song 1, Chapter 2 - Songs 2-6, Chapter 3 - Songs
7-9, Chapter 4 - Song 10, Chapter 5 - Song 11, Chapter 6 - Song
12
CONTACT: Stanley M. Hoffman E-Mail: stanleymhoffman@msn.com.
This dissertation is available from UMI Dissertation Services (order
number 9317084).
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