A Conductor’s Analysis of Almeida Prado’s Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ According to Saint Mark

This study is based on the analysis and performance considerations of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ According to Saint Mark by the Brazilian composer Almeida Prado (1943-2010). This passion setting, which comprises mixed choir, actors, organ, harpsichord and timpani, was composed in 1967. The setting of the passion story strictly follows the gospel account, and no other poetic text, reflective chorales or arias were added. Among other factors, this work is unique in that the choir is used to carry the narrative throughout the work. Also, the composer masterfully uses text-painting in the choral and instrumental parts in isolation or in many combinations. The use of actors for the direct dialogues suggests that staging and acting are appropriate for the dramatic representation of the work. It is based on non-functional harmony and incorporates chromaticism, clusters, modality, and experiments with both texture and tone color as found in the works of Messiaen, Debussy, and Schoenberg. Many European techniques were being recognized and incorporated into works of Brazilian composers that adhered to the avant-garde movement that took place in Brazil during the 1960s. Almeida Prado was one of the most important of these composers in Brazil, with an output of over 400 works.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Music

Grantor

Music

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Gonçalves, Cléusia Carreira

• Brazilian composer
• rehearsal techniques
• Passion
• Almeida Prado
• Choral conducting

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Identifier

etd-01062016-204726
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/240

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.lsu.edu:gradschool_dissertations-1239