Prelude in Tempore Belli

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Williams, Evan Michael
Language:English
Published: Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK 2013
Subjects:
war
Online Access:http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1363527260
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spelling ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-bgsu13635272602021-08-03T05:20:49Z Prelude in Tempore Belli Williams, Evan Michael Music orchestra prelude war <p><i>Prelude in Tempore Belli</i> is a six-minute work for symphony orchestra submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Music. The works of composers such as Charles Ives, Benjamin Britten, Krzysztof Penderecki, Gyorgy Ligeti, Iannis Xenakis, Witold Lutoslawski, and John Adams served as the inspiration to inform the writing of <i>Prelude in Tempore Belli.</i> The piece takes its title from Joseph Haydn’s <i>Missa in Tempore Belli</i> (<i>Mass in the Time of War</i>), a work written during the French Revolutionary Wars. It juxtaposes the sense of glory and nationalist pride held by civilians and governments during war with the harsh tragedy experienced by the soldiers sent to fight and their loved ones. The composition seeks to achieve this through the use of popular tunes. “Johnny Get Your Gun (Over There),” a call to arms during WWI by George M. Cohan, and a partial setting of “The Star-Spangled Banner” represent the nationalist fervor for war. A lengthy setting of the solemn ballad “Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier” serves as a lament for the fallen soldier.</p><p>The final moments of <i>Prelude in Tempore Belli</i> feature a repetition of the “Et incarnatus est” motive from Haydn’s <i>Missa in Tempore Belli</i>, like a mantra that leads the piece to a tumultuous ending. Whether this Mass, also known as the “Paukenmesse ” for its use of timpani, is an anti-war statement or a literal pounding of the war drums is a point of debate for scholars. Yet, the sudden interruption of the stately Credo by the setting of “Et incarnatus est (and was made flesh)” in a minor key is a striking moment. Bach also employed a minor key for this text in his B Minor Mass, both curious choices given that the birth of Jesus Christ is a cause for celebration in the Christian tradition. The use of this motive in <i>Prelude in Tempore Belli</i> is a lament of shame for mankind’s proclivity for violence and warfare.</p> 2013-05-13 English text Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1363527260 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1363527260 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
collection NDLTD
language English
sources NDLTD
topic Music
orchestra
prelude
war
spellingShingle Music
orchestra
prelude
war
Williams, Evan Michael
Prelude in Tempore Belli
author Williams, Evan Michael
author_facet Williams, Evan Michael
author_sort Williams, Evan Michael
title Prelude in Tempore Belli
title_short Prelude in Tempore Belli
title_full Prelude in Tempore Belli
title_fullStr Prelude in Tempore Belli
title_full_unstemmed Prelude in Tempore Belli
title_sort prelude in tempore belli
publisher Bowling Green State University / OhioLINK
publishDate 2013
url http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1363527260
work_keys_str_mv AT williamsevanmichael preludeintemporebelli
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