UCLA

There are two parts to this dissertation: the first is an analytical monograph, and the second a music composition, both of which are described below.

Part One (Analytical Monograph)

In his composition, Chichester Psalms for choir, solo treble, and orchestra, Leonard Bernstein assembles excerpts in Hebrew from the Book of Psalms to narrate a story of conflict and resolution. Bernstein develops his narrative musically by foreshadowing, summarizing, and dramatizing conflict. Specifically, he alludes to key areas in advance of their arrival by manipulating sequential repetition, melodic contour, and ambiguous harmonies. He concisely restates the music he has already presented in an eclectic juxtaposition of keys, textures, and themes. Finally, the composer dramatizes conflict by exploring distant keys at the micro and macro levels. The musical application of these devices is notable for the way that it illuminates the meaning of the text.

Part Two (Music Composition)

Using Bernstein's music as inspiration, I composed an original Judeo-Christian interfaith companion piece to Chichester Psalms, titled Psalms, Songs, and Blues. In five movements, this piece sets both Psalm excerpts and portions of the Jewish liturgy in English, Hebrew, and Latin, for cantor (baritone), SATB chorus, and orchestra. Scored for the same orchestration as Chichester Psalms, my work is designed to complement Bernstein's for performance on the same concert program.