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

Bibliographic Details
Main Author:	Verbeck, Heather Dawn
Language:	English
Published:	University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK 2015
Subjects:	Music Lou Harrison transethnicism American Experimentalism flute
Online Access:	http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1427980536

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spelling	ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-ucin14279805362021-08-03T06:29:47Z The Archeological Digs of Lou Harrison: An Examination of Transethnicism in Selected Works for Flute Verbeck, Heather Dawn Music Lou Harrison transethnicism American Experimentalism 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. 2015-06-09 English text University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1427980536 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1427980536 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 Lou Harrison transethnicism American Experimentalism flute
spellingShingle	Music Lou Harrison transethnicism American Experimentalism flute Verbeck, Heather Dawn The Archeological Digs of Lou Harrison: An Examination of Transethnicism in Selected Works for Flute
author	Verbeck, Heather Dawn
author_facet	Verbeck, Heather Dawn
author_sort	Verbeck, Heather Dawn
title	The Archeological Digs of Lou Harrison: An Examination of Transethnicism in Selected Works for Flute
title_short	The Archeological Digs of Lou Harrison: An Examination of Transethnicism in Selected Works for Flute
title_full	The Archeological Digs of Lou Harrison: An Examination of Transethnicism in Selected Works for Flute
title_fullStr	The Archeological Digs of Lou Harrison: An Examination of Transethnicism in Selected Works for Flute
title_full_unstemmed	The Archeological Digs of Lou Harrison: An Examination of Transethnicism in Selected Works for Flute
title_sort	archeological digs of lou harrison: an examination of transethnicism in selected works for flute
publisher	University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK
publishDate	2015
url	http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1427980536
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The Archeological Digs of Lou Harrison: An Examination of Transethnicism in Selected Works for Flute

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