Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
2012
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
D.M.A.
Program
Music
Advisor
Joseph N. Straus
Committee Members
Jeffrey Taylor
L. Poundie Burstein
Kyle Gann
Subject Categories
Music
Abstract
Discussions of the role of politics in Frederic Rzewski's music generally stop at surface elements: the title of the work, the use of a particular song, and guesses as to what left-leaning audience the piece is directed at. Similarly, discussion of the role of improvisation in Rzewski's work begins and ends simply at the mention of its existence. Using transcription and analysis of improvisations from recordings of "Which Side Are You On?" from North American Ballads combined with ideas about modeling from Christian Asplund, musicking from Christopher Small, dialogue from David Bohm, and Rzewski's own writings about music, I demonstrate how the political manifests at every level of the music, enabling listeners and performers to experience a socio-political situation beyond mere sloganeering, and the essential role improvisation plays in creating that experience.
Recommended Citation
La Rose, Andrea A., "Politics, Improvisation, and Musicking in Frederic Rzewski's "Which Side Are You On?" from North American Ballads" (2012). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/2252
Comments
This written work and the composition, "grunt work for the avant-garde," together constitute the author's doctoral dissertation.
Digital reproduction from the UMI microform.