Arnold Schoenberg's "Pierrot lunaire": A study of Sprechstimme and vocal performance practice through sound recording

dc.contributor.advisorBailey, Walter B.
dc.creatorSoder, Aidan Leigh
dc.date.accessioned2009-06-04T06:51:38Z
dc.date.available2009-06-04T06:51:38Z
dc.date.issued2006
dc.description.abstractArnold Schoenberg's Pierrot lunaire has inspired discussion and debate among scholars and performers alike for over ninety years. In particular, his use of Sprechstimme, a unique combination of speaking and singing, has been examined from a variety of perspectives and continues to be a controversial subject. Though scholarly writings have attempted to address performance practice issues, there are substantial gaps in the literature regarding the specific, technical, vocal elements required to execute Pierrot's Sprechstimme. Additionally, though a few recordings have been cursorily cited and reviewed, a more thorough and comprehensive examination of the Pierrot discography and the interpretation of Sprechstimme has been lacking. Contemporary performance practice often evolves through a work's sound recording legacy; Pierrot lunaire is no exception. Sprechstimme delivery varies greatly throughout the discography, and though a clear performance practice tradition has not emerged during the last sixty-five years (since Schoenberg's first recording in 1940), similar characteristics can be found among the recordings. This dissertation provides a thorough discussion of Pierrot's technical vocal requirements and how the sound recordings can assist the interpreter in her realization of the Sprechstimme, thereby contributing to the establishment of a performance practice tradition. Chapter One provides an overview of the origins of Sprechstimme, Schoenberg's intentions for its delivery (as revealed through the score and various documents), and the vocal elements necessary for its execution. Chapter Two examines four important early interpreters of the work and the first recording. Chapter Three discusses the range of interpretational styles represented on the recordings. Chapter Four presents some of the interpretational problems encountered in several popular, benchmark recordings, and also provides an overview of the remaining recordings. Chapter Five addresses five specific recordings, provides a brief history of each singer, a stylistic overview of each singer's interpretation and delivery of the Sprechstimme, and a detailed study of four individual songs. Finally, Chapter Six provides conclusions regarding the benefit of the sound recording, drawn to help the performer establish clear interpretational guidelines which could aid in the establishment of a solid performance practice tradition.
dc.format.extent140 p.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS MUSIC 2006 SODER
dc.identifier.citationSoder, Aidan Leigh. "Arnold Schoenberg's "Pierrot lunaire": A study of Sprechstimme and vocal performance practice through sound recording." (2006) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/18980">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/18980</a>.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/18980
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectMusic
dc.titleArnold Schoenberg's "Pierrot lunaire": A study of Sprechstimme and vocal performance practice through sound recording
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentMusic
thesis.degree.disciplineMusic
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Musical Arts
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
3216784.PDF
Size:
7.49 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format