A Tragic Rhapsody (Final)
65
Copyright by Brandon Elliott Clinton 2016
Transcript of A Tragic Rhapsody (Final)
Copyright
by
Brandon Elliott Clinton
2016
The Thesis Committee for Brandon Elliott ClintonCertifies that this is the approved version of the following thesis:
A Tragic Rhapsody
APPROVED BYSUPERVISING COMMITTEE:
Russell Pinkston
Yevgeniy Sharlat
Supervisor:
A Tragic Rhapsody
by
Brandon Elliott Clinton, B. Music; M.A.
ThesisPresented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of
The University of Texas at Austin
in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements
for the Degree of
Master of Music
The University of Texas at AustinMay 2016
Abstract
A Tragic Rhapsody
Brandon Elliott Clinton, M. Music
The University of Texas at Austin, 2016
Supervisor: Russell Pinkston
A Tragic Rhapsody is a piece about a single character going through a series of
emotional states. There are a series of six themes that permeate the piece. Each of these
themes represents an emotional state of the character. The first theme is tragic and is
heard from the outset in the cello. The second is heard in mm. 91 and is a theme of
growing hope. The third theme at mm. 103 is one of playful insanity. The fourth occurs at
mm. 169 and is one of light hearted searching and nervousness. The fifth theme first
occurs at mm. 453 represents peacefulness with a sense of tragedy. The final theme first
occurs at mm. 264 and is one of joy, hope, and triumph. The final them occurs three times
throughout the piece and is one of the few themes that is not tragic. Each time this theme
occurs, it tries to pull the piece away from it tragic nature. The final theme succeeds in its
third appearance when the piece reaches its climax. The piece then ends with a calm coda
that finally ends in a peaceful nature.
iv.
Instrumentation
2 Flutes
2 Oboes
2 Clarinets in B-flat
2 Bassoons
4 Horns
3 Trumpet in C
3 Trombones
1 Tuba
Timpani
1 Percussion (Cymbals, Bass Drum, Toms [high and low]), Tam-Tam
Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Cello
Bass
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°
¢°
¢°¢°¢
°
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Picc.
Fl.
Ob.
Cl.
Bsn.
Hn.
Hn.
C Tpt.
Tbn.
Tbn.
Timp.
Perc.
Vln. I
Vln. II
Vla.
Vc.
Db.
f p
accel.
577
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f p mp
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f
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p mp
mp mf
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Table of Contents
INSTRUMENTATION 1.................................................................................................
A TRAGIC RHAPSODY SCORE 2.................................................................................
v.
