Essay for Orchestra

• Main Author: Roberts, David Michael, 1983-
• Language: en_US
• Published: University of Oregon 2009
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1794/9981

1 score (viii, 83 p.). A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. === Essay for Orchestra is a one-movement concert piece scored for full orchestra. Since the definition of the genre "orchestral essay" is unclear, the composer has considerable latitude while still claiming a connection to a musical tradition. I have used the term "essay" to suggest a formal function. The piece is structured around the interaction between three main themes, each of which is derived from the same basic motivic material and corresponds to an element of a prose essay: an introduction; the advancement of a main argument; and the statement and eventual refutation of a counterargument. Each theme appears first in its own section and later in conjunction with the others, the coda functioning as a confirmation of the primary idea and a synthesis of all three. Harmonically, Essay for Orchestra is an attempt to blend the languages of Prokofiev, Hindemith, Shostakovich, Schnittke, and in deference to the title, Barber. === Committee in Charge: Dr. David Crumb, Chair; Dr. Robert Kyr; Dr. Jeffrey Stolet