"The speaker of the orchestra" : an analytical study of the bass line in the fourth movement of Beethoven's ninth symphony

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
James Charles Barket (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Eddie Bass

Abstract: This study examines the fourth movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in an effort to demonstrate how aspects of the structure of the entire movement are manifested in the bass line. The purpose is to provide performers of the double bass with a comprehensive explanation of the role of the bass line in this movement. The entire movement is first analyzed to show the overall form and the large-scale motivic and harmonic structure. The methodologies used include those put forth by Jan LaRue-to label sections and show the overall design—and Heinrich Schenker--to demonstrate how the harmony and voice leading support the formal divisions outlined with the LaRue method and to uncover high-level motivic patterns. The bass lines from three large sections of the movement are analyzed in detail with Schenkerian methods to outline their harmonic and motivic material and the relationship between this material and the higher-level patterns uncovered in the analysis of entire movement For each section analyzed in detail, an exercise is presented which is intended to aid performers in developing their aural comprehension of how the surface-level passages grow out of the inner motivic and harmonic structure. Technical suggestions which use the analysis as their basis are also included in the exercises.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 1993
Subjects
Beethoven, Ludwig van, $d 1770-1827. $t Symphonies, $n no. 9, op. 125, $r D minor
Symphonies $x Analysis, appreciation

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