Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Date

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Musical Arts

Department

Music

Committee Chair

Jeremy Orosz

Committee Chair

Matthew Burns

Committee Member

Ben Smith

Committee Member

Stephen Karr

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between Mandarin lexical tones and melodic contour in Chinese art song, focusing on how this interaction shapes vocal performance practice. Through case studies of Huang Zi’s Three Wishes of the Rose and selected songs from Gao Ping’s Melody Abandoned, the project explores how two Western-educated Chinese composers from different historical periods negotiate poetic text, tonal language, and musical expression within evolving cultural contexts. The central research question investigates how the tonal structure of Mandarin interacts with Western-derived compositional techniques, and how this interaction presents specific challenges for non-native Mandarin singers. By analyzing poetic form, musical structure, and diction in performance, the study identifies strategies for preserving textual intelligibility while maintaining vocal line, resonance, and expressive continuity. Integrating musical analysis with demonstrative recorded excerpts, this performance-based research highlights both continuity and transformation in Chinese art song across a century. Ultimately, the project contributes practical pedagogical insight into Mandarin diction in art song and expands understanding of cross-cultural vocal interpretation in contemporary performance practice.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest/Clarivate.

Notes

Open Access.

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