Nonfunctional Parsimony and Tonal Ambiguity in the Late Lieder of Franz Liszt

• Main Author: Seguin, Abigail L.
• Language: EN
• Published: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 2014
• Subjects: Music
• Online Access: http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=1557576

<p> The first two chapters of this study explore <i>Mehrdeutigkeit</i> and parsimonious, non-functional voice leading of augmented triads, fully diminished seventh chords, and half-diminished seventh chords in the late <i> Lieder</i> of Franz Liszt. These techniques utilize varying numbers of common tone retention to create surface level ambiguity. Examples of this motion are extracted from the <i>Lieder</i>, and presented along with a discussion of how the chords function on the musical surface. In Chapter 3, these chords are paired with the concept of directional tonality and a variety of prolongational techniques to discuss deeper structural ambiguity in the selected late <i>Lieder</i>. Polyfocal analysis, a method of Schenkerian analysis, is employed to depict the prolongational techniques and how all of these elements function together to create tonal ambiguity. Lastly, the revisions of two different <i>Lieder</i> are discussed to show the change in Liszt's compositional approach later in his career. </p>