Music for the Microphone: Network Broadcasts and the Creation of American Compositions in the Golden Age of Radio

This study investigates the influence of the major American radio networks on music, especially new compositions specifically written for broadcast. It focuses on two initiatives by the networks--NBC's Orchestral Awards (1932) and CBS's Columbia Composers' Commissions (1937-1938)--as...

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Other Authors: Taniguchi, Akihiro, 1968- (authoraut)
Format: Others
Language:English
English
Published: Florida State University
Subjects:
Online Access:http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-1706
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spelling ndltd-fsu.edu-oai-fsu.digital.flvc.org-fsu_1762022020-06-05T03:08:15Z Music for the Microphone: Network Broadcasts and the Creation of American Compositions in the Golden Age of Radio Taniguchi, Akihiro, 1968- (authoraut) Brewer, Charles E. (professor directing dissertation) Clendinning, Jane Piper (outside committee member) Van Glahn, Denise (committee member) Bakan, Michael B. (committee member) College of Music (degree granting department) Florida State University (degree granting institution) Text text Florida State University Florida State University English eng 1 online resource computer application/pdf This study investigates the influence of the major American radio networks on music, especially new compositions specifically written for broadcast. It focuses on two initiatives by the networks--NBC's Orchestral Awards (1932) and CBS's Columbia Composers' Commissions (1937-1938)--as examples through which the networks directly influenced the creative activities of the nation. One of the major issues in this study is the influence of technology on compositional style. Aaron Copland utilized a new "radiogeneric" orchestration in his Music for Radio (1937), based on what was promoted by music directors at CBS: Davidson Taylor and Deems Taylor. They thought that composers should cultivate the possibilities of the electronic medium as an integral aspect in their orchestral writing. According to these directors, amplification of the sound with the use of the microphone was unique to radio, and specific elements of orchestration, such as the use of muted brass sounds, was also important as these sounds would be more effectively reproduced by the contemporary radio receivers. Other composers skillfully formulated a form of music based on various radio productions. William Grant Still composed Lenox Avenue, a continuous music narrative of Harlem combining instruments with a narrator, using a the form he employed in the radio program "Deep River Hour." Louis Gruenberg wrote "non-visual opera" titled Green Mansions, using various musical sounds, including the theremin, to evoke imagination to cover than lacking visual component of the radio opera. Howard Hanson, on the other hand, simply presented his Third Symphony without any radiogeneric features. This study also examines the social and cultural context that made it possible for radio directors to promote commissions and competitions for American composers. The discussion of the cultural context is viewed in the contemporary dichotomy of "highbrow" and "lowbrow," which can clarify the cultural tension between radio directors, educators, and listeners. The discussion of the social context examines network radio as a patron, and its influence on actual radio compositions, including the question of accessible musical styles and nationalism. Marc Blitzstein's I've Got the Tune is analyzed as a social commentary and a reflection of his contemporary society. A Dissertation Submitted to the School of Music in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Summer Semester, 2003. May 15, 2003. Golden Age of Radio, Network Broadcasts Includes bibliographical references. Charles E. Brewer, Professor Directing Dissertation; Jane Piper Clendinning, Outside Committee Member; Denise Von Glahn, Committee Member; Michael B. Bakan, Committee Member. Music FSU_migr_etd-1706 http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-1706 This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. http://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu%3A176202/datastream/TN/view/Music%20for%20the%20Microphone.jpg
collection NDLTD
language English
English
format Others
sources NDLTD
topic Music
spellingShingle Music
Music for the Microphone: Network Broadcasts and the Creation of American Compositions in the Golden Age of Radio
description This study investigates the influence of the major American radio networks on music, especially new compositions specifically written for broadcast. It focuses on two initiatives by the networks--NBC's Orchestral Awards (1932) and CBS's Columbia Composers' Commissions (1937-1938)--as examples through which the networks directly influenced the creative activities of the nation. One of the major issues in this study is the influence of technology on compositional style. Aaron Copland utilized a new "radiogeneric" orchestration in his Music for Radio (1937), based on what was promoted by music directors at CBS: Davidson Taylor and Deems Taylor. They thought that composers should cultivate the possibilities of the electronic medium as an integral aspect in their orchestral writing. According to these directors, amplification of the sound with the use of the microphone was unique to radio, and specific elements of orchestration, such as the use of muted brass sounds, was also important as these sounds would be more effectively reproduced by the contemporary radio receivers. Other composers skillfully formulated a form of music based on various radio productions. William Grant Still composed Lenox Avenue, a continuous music narrative of Harlem combining instruments with a narrator, using a the form he employed in the radio program "Deep River Hour." Louis Gruenberg wrote "non-visual opera" titled Green Mansions, using various musical sounds, including the theremin, to evoke imagination to cover than lacking visual component of the radio opera. Howard Hanson, on the other hand, simply presented his Third Symphony without any radiogeneric features. This study also examines the social and cultural context that made it possible for radio directors to promote commissions and competitions for American composers. The discussion of the cultural context is viewed in the contemporary dichotomy of "highbrow" and "lowbrow," which can clarify the cultural tension between radio directors, educators, and listeners. The discussion of the social context examines network radio as a patron, and its influence on actual radio compositions, including the question of accessible musical styles and nationalism. Marc Blitzstein's I've Got the Tune is analyzed as a social commentary and a reflection of his contemporary society. === A Dissertation Submitted to the School of Music in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Summer Semester, 2003. === May 15, 2003. === Golden Age of Radio, Network Broadcasts === Includes bibliographical references. === Charles E. Brewer, Professor Directing Dissertation; Jane Piper Clendinning, Outside Committee Member; Denise Von Glahn, Committee Member; Michael B. Bakan, Committee Member.
author2 Taniguchi, Akihiro, 1968- (authoraut)
author_facet Taniguchi, Akihiro, 1968- (authoraut)
title Music for the Microphone: Network Broadcasts and the Creation of American Compositions in the Golden Age of Radio
title_short Music for the Microphone: Network Broadcasts and the Creation of American Compositions in the Golden Age of Radio
title_full Music for the Microphone: Network Broadcasts and the Creation of American Compositions in the Golden Age of Radio
title_fullStr Music for the Microphone: Network Broadcasts and the Creation of American Compositions in the Golden Age of Radio
title_full_unstemmed Music for the Microphone: Network Broadcasts and the Creation of American Compositions in the Golden Age of Radio
title_sort music for the microphone: network broadcasts and the creation of american compositions in the golden age of radio
publisher Florida State University
url http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-1706
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