A SURVEY OF NATIONALISTIC MUSIC FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO WRITTEN BETWEEN 1850 AND 1950

Abstract

The term "Nationalism" when applied to music usually refers to music with the flavor of a particular country or culture. The period from the mid-nineteenth through the mid-twentieth centuries saw a great flowering of such music. This flavor comes frequently from use of ethnic/regional folk tunes and dance rhythms. It also comes through assimilation of one culture's musical traditions by another: traces of the English Morris Dance can be found in Norwegian folk dance music, for instance. The fascination with the exotic qualities of East Asian folk music can be found in the music of the French Impressionists. Nationalism extends to extra-musical elements of the culture and politics of the time. My studies on this topic extends to listening and discovery of other musical genres such as orchestral works, art-songs, and operas that are related to and influenced by the works I have chosen to study and perform. The extra-musical genres-literature, history, and the study of various cultures surrounding the composers-became important sources of study for me as I strove to deepen my understanding of the aestheticism of nationalism in music. As a violinist, I strive to refine my skills in interpreting the musical/technical elements such as diverse rhythmic patterns, folkloric melodies, and exotic harmonies discovered in the repertoire I chose. Understanding the musical ideas and extra-musical traits that influenced nationalistic music not only enhances my skills in the performance of these works but also helps deliver the emotional expressions (e.g., sweetness, fire, humor, nostalgia) that must be communicated in performances of this repertoire. Recital I (April 30, 2007 at 8PM Ulrich Recital Hall, University of Maryland) assisted by Minna Han, Heather Lauffer, piano Sonata for violin and piano in G minor Claude Debussy (1862-1918) Violin Sonata No.2 (1924), Poeme Mystique Ernest Bloch (1880-1959) Sonata for Violin and Piano No.3 inC minor, Op. 45 Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) Recital II (November 18,2007 at 5:30PM Gildenhorn Recital Hall, UMD) assisted by Minna Han, Piano Sonata for Violin and Piano No.2 in D Major, Op. 94 Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953)