Selected Solo Piano and Chamber Works With Piano By David Loeb: A Recording Project Dissertation

Abstract

I am submitting two recorded devices (compact discs) accompanied by a written document as my final dissertation project. All works included in this recording project were written by American composer, David Loeb. David Loeb started teaching at the Mannes College of Music in 1964 and became a member of the composition faculty in 1973, as well as co-chair of Techniques of Music. He also held a part-time position at the Curtis Institute of Music from 1973 to 2000. He has composed more than 1500 pieces, many of which demonstrate a profound Eastern influence. The composer makes frequent trips to Eastern countries to research, perform and better understand each country's instruments and musical background. In this project, 42 selected pieces (or movements) have been recorded, including three chamber music works. The scores of the selected pieces were provided by the composer and none of the materials had been previously recorded. The selected works feature the influence of Eastern music or instruments with which I am more familiar as a native Japanese musician. Chamber music works involved intense collaboration with partners. The composer himself provided direct guidance and invaluable feedback through all phases of this project, including several meetings in person to discuss interpretation, performance, and recording issues. The written document includes the composer's biography, descriptions of his scholarly publications, a brief interview, and detailed program notes with respect to the recorded pieces. Additionally, biographies of chamber music partners and recording engineer are provided, along with a statement from the composer himself in regard to this project as a whole.