Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Zixiao Ye

Date

2019

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Musical Arts

Department

Music

Committee Chair

Cathal Breslin

Committee Member

Janet Page

Committee Member

John Baur

Committee Member

Susan Owen-Leinert

Abstract

Guo Zurong, born in 1928, is a distinguished and respected Chinese composer and educator. He has composed more than two hundred works during his career, including 16 symphonies, 13 concertos, 41 piano solos, and 110 art songs. This dissertation focuses on his early art songs, aiming to discover his compositional process and style. His biography, for the first time in English, will be presented in chapter 2. The following chapter briefly present the art of classical Chinese poetry and Chinese modes. Four selected early art songs by Guo Zurong are analyzed: The Endless River Eastward Flows, poetry by Su Shi; Emerald Clouds Above, poetry by Fan Zhongyan; The Curtain Cannot Keep out The Pattern of Rain, poetry by Li Yu; Pink Hands so Fine, poetry by Lu You. Each song is discussed in regard to its compositional background, musical setting, and piano accompaniment. Each poem is presented with original Chinese characters, English translation, and the pinyin transliteration. By exploring Guos unique compositional style the ideal fusion of Chinese modes, classical Chinese poetry, Chinese opera, and Western music, this study aims to promote Guos music and draw a greater audience to Chinese music.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest

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