Date of Graduation

2017

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

DMA

College

College of Creative Arts

Department

School of Music

Committee Chair

Travis Stimeling

Committee Co-Chair

Peter Amstutz

Committee Member

James Miltenberger

Committee Member

Beth Royall

Committee Member

Michael Vercelli

Abstract

This dissertation will investigate the historical significance and modern application of Beethoven's improvisations in performance, first by observing what we know through primary sources and eye-witness accounts, then by considering the reasons for the absence of improvisation in modern performance practice and the steps that could be taken towards reincorporating classical improvisation into modern pedagogy, and finally by offering historically-based improvisation exercises and written-out examples of improvisations in Beethoven's works to benefit modern pianists.

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