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The Archeological Digs of Lou Harrison: An Examination of Transethnicism in Selected Works for Flute

Verbeck, Heather Dawn
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1427980536

Abstract Details

2015, DMA, University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music: Flute.
The works of Lou Harrison (1917-2003) defy simple classification. His pieces are a fusion of his personal style of compositional construction and other musical influences. The outside influences come from a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, his interest in non-Western cultures, history, and interactions with other composers. Harrison is most frequently categorized as an American Experimentalist. The composers associated with the Experimentalist School are often musical outsiders, working on the fringes. The sonorities and styles of the composers in this group are widely divergent. Though one is unlikely to confuse music of one composer with another, a common thread among the American Experimentalists—and more importantly, what shapes many of Harrison’s compositions—is the notion of transethnicism. Transethnicism is the study and incorporation of sophisticated musical ideas outside of one’s paradigm. Harrison’s inspiration from cultures outside of his own is evident through the use of transethnic properties that figure prominently in his work. This DMA document focuses on transethnic influences found in selected flute works of Lou Harrison. My approach is in four parts. I provide a biographical sketch about Harrison, discussing the major life events and influences that led to his approach to composition. Second, I examine his place among the American Experimentalists, defining transethnicism and describing techniques used by Harrison as a means for creating his transethnic style of composition. Third, I discuss the First Concerto for Flute and Percussion (1939), Air in G (1947), and Ariadne (1987), demonstrating the specific overt and implicit transethnic compositional techniques unique to each work, detailing their place within his overall oeuvre, and examining performance practice concerns. For the fourth and final part, I conclude with a summary that underscores the similarities and differences among the three works in terms of transethnic influences, compositional style, historical context, performance practices, and highlight the importance of each to the flute repertoire. This document draws from a variety of sources, including Harrison’s own writings and interviews, and other scholarly writings and research. Though the Concerto, Air in G, and Ariadne, remain relatively unknown to most flutists except his devotees, these accessible works demonstrate the compositional techniques and transethnic influences that create Harrison’s unique sound. They are important works, both to the flute repertoire and as examples of uniquely American music by a composer from the American Experimental School.
Bradley Garner, D.M.A. (Committee Chair)
Mark Ostoich, D.M.A. (Committee Member)
Sandra Rivers, M.S. (Committee Member)
98 p.
Music
Lou Harrison; transethnicism; American Experimentalism; flute

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Verbeck, H. D. (2015). The Archeological Digs of Lou Harrison: An Examination of Transethnicism in Selected Works for Flute [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1427980536

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Verbeck, Heather. The Archeological Digs of Lou Harrison: An Examination of Transethnicism in Selected Works for Flute. 2015. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1427980536.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Verbeck, Heather. "The Archeological Digs of Lou Harrison: An Examination of Transethnicism in Selected Works for Flute." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1427980536

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1427980536
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© 2015, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12