Bailey, Walter2018-12-032018-12-032007Witt, Alexis L.. "The aesthetic of difficulty." (2007) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/103646">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/103646</a>.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/103646The purpose of this project is to present and elaborate upon the relatively unexplored concept of an aesthetic of "difficulty". The aesthetic of difficulty begins as compositional intent, is expressed through the experience of the performer, and ultimately is perceived by the listener. Difficulty itself, not to be confused with virtuosity, refers to segments or pieces of music that are uncomfortably challenging for the sake of intentionally sounding "hard" or labored. For example, when a knowledgeable composer purposefully writes a part that is unidiomatic for a particular instrument, or makes use of fingerings or ranges that would have been problematic in order to achieve an effect. Furthermore, this aesthetic is lost to the modern music world primarily because of the influence of recording technology on the perception of performance, and developments in instrument construction and design.54 ppengCopyright 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.MusicCommunication and the artsThesis304803036THESIS MUSIC 2008 WITT