Piano Performance Dissertation

The first dissertation recital took place in Britton Hall at the University of Michigan at 5:30 pm on April 20, 2021. The emphasis was on major works from the Romantic period: César Franck (arr. Harold Bauer), Prélude, Fugue et Variation, Op. 18; Frédéric Chopin, Barcarolle in F# Minor, Op. 60; and Robert Schumann, Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17. One work from the Baroque era was also included: J. S. Bach (arr. Ferrucio Busoni) Chorale Prelude No. 3, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659. The second dissertation recital was in the form of a lecture-recital. A presentation of an analysis of Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata in C Minor, op. 111 was followed by a performance of the work. The lecture and performance took place in Britton Hall at the University of Michigan at 5:30 pm on January 8, 2022. In the lecture, I argue that Beethoven modified key aspects of the sonata form in order to achieve a unique dramatic narrative of two opposite forces that depend on each other. The third dissertation recital took place in Britton Hall at the University of Michigan at 4:00 pm on June 15, 2022. The last recital was stylistically diverse as it drew from the baroque period, romantic era, and three different musical languages from the 20th century: Domenico Scarlatti (baroque), Keyboard Sonata in F Minor, K. 466 and Keyboard Sonata in B Minor, K. 27; Franz Liszt (romantic), Mephisto Waltz No. 1, S. 514; and Maurice Ravel (20th century), Ondine; George Enescu (20th century), Sonata in F# Minor, op. 24, no. 1; and William Grant Still, "Cloud Cradles" and "Muted Laughter" from Seven Traceries.