Degree Name
Master of Music
Department or Program
Music
Advisor
Dr. Eric Mandat
Abstract
This paper provides a historical background and analysis on the works performed by the author for their Master’s Recital given on April 30th, 2022. The works included are as follows: Kenji Bunch’s Cookbook for Clarinet and Piano, Shulamit Ran’s For An Actor: Monologue for Clarinet (In A), and David Maslanka’s Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble. These works were chosen in an effort to understand the compositional inspirations and practices used to portray elements of each composer's personal reflections, beliefs, and experiences as well as their interpretations of the “human experience” in general. In Cookbook, Kenji Bunch represents experiences and moods tied to cooking and family by incorporating diverse musical styles, the fragmentation of a motive, and special markings in the music. Shulamit Ran emulates the gamut of human emotion in Monologue through various extended techniques and markings, with the idea that the performer would “act out” the music similarly to an actor. David Maslanka’s thoughts on meditation and the juxtaposition of hope and despair felt throughout humanity influenced his treatment of key centers and harmony in his Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble. Upon analyzing and studying these works, it is easier to understand and quantify elements of the intangible in music: humanity, individualism, community, personal struggle, sacrifice, reflection, hope, and finding inner peace.