Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2013

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

DMA

College

College of Creative Arts

Department

School of Music

Committee Chair

Peter Amstutz

Committee Co-Chair

Andrew Kohn

Committee Member

James Miltenberger

Committee Member

Mikylah Myers Mcteer

Committee Member

Thomas Sloane.

Abstract

Since 1987, Lowell Liebermann (b. 1961) has composed eleven piano Nocturnes, making him the most significant recent contributor to the genre. This research analyzes these Nocturnes, six of which have no previously published analysis. This paper also considers Liebermann's Nocturnes as a continuation of the tradition of nocturne-writing, initiated in the nineteenth century by composers like John Field and continued by Fryderyck Chopin and Gabriel Faure. Numerous composers have written Nocturnes since Faure's opus 119 in 1921; however no one did so with an interest as marked as Liebermann's. Moreover, Liebermann shares with Faure many stylistic features. Liebermann is therefore the true and sole successor to this great dynasty of nocturne-composers thus far.;Liebermann's Nocturnes, while maintaining a clear singable melody, a "simple" accompaniment, and suggesting the atmosphere of the night, also include new aspects of ornamentation, multi-layering and form. New features also include use of canon and greater virtuosity.;Keywords: Lowell Liebermann, Nocturne, Field, Chopin, Faure.

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