An Analysis of the Genesis of Motive, Rhythm, and Pitch in the First Movement of the Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion by Béla Bartók.

This dissertation presents evidence that Béla Bartók created his masterwork, the Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion (1937), in a very complex period of his life. Since it was a mature piece, Bartók utilized typically "Bartókian" compositional techniques and styles. His ethnomusicological studies were also influential factors in the creation of the Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion. We can be witness to how different the first draft was to the published version; the minor and major changes are revealed in the draft study of the Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion 's first movement. These changes allow today's musicians to reconstruct the compositional process. The first movement introduces some interesting uses of sonata form, to be explored in more detail in the analysis. Starting with linear analysis, the basic motives and rhythmic patterns are discussed and supported with Bartók's own explanations. The conclusion of this study has important ramifications for performance: it eases up the pressure on the performers, since problematic passages are analyzed and explained - preparing the players' mentally for the performance. This is music which is hard to play and difficult to analyze. The analysis, combining the results of both theoretical and musicological studies, is intended to help both analysts and performers understand the genesis of the piece and, for performers, to execute the music in the best possible manner.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2004

Author dc:creator

• Ujj-Hilliard, Emöke

Contributors dc:contributor

• Paul, Pamela Mia
• Jackson, Timothy L.
• Wodnicki, Adam

• Bartók, Béla, 1881-1945. Sonatas, pianos (2), percussion.
• Bartók sonata
• piano
• motives
• rhythms
• percussion
• pitch

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Ujj-Hilliard, Emöke
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 57203522
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc4480/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc4480

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc4480