| Stephen Dankner is an American contemporary composer who writes in a Post-Romantic style combining nineteenth-century forms with twentieth-century harmonies, modulations, and dissonances. Dankner has composed numerous works in several classical genres including symphony, oratorio, instrumental chamber music, choral, piano, works for electronic synthesizer, and solo vocal song. The purpose of this study is to analyze selected solo vocal song compositions of Stephen Dankner in order to produce a detailed description of the selected solo vocal music and through its use of word painting and a performer's guide for the preparation and performance of the selected solo vocal music. The methodology of this study includes personal interviews with the composer and an analysis of the texts and the scores. The score study and analysis provided a basis for illustrating music and text relationships (word painting) and the accompaniment's role in interpreting the text. Dankner's inspiration for song composition comes from his desire to create a mood, an image, a picture, a representation of the poetry. The study of his songs reveals careful attention to the subtleties of the text and the necessary musical language.; Chapter 1 is an introduction to the study and an updated biographical sketch of Dankner. Chapter 2 is a discussion of the poets Theodore Roethke and Brad Richard, their selected poetry, and the psalms featured in the selected songs. Chapters 3 through 5 include discussions of Dankner's use of word painting in the song cycles Serpent Songs, Biblical Songs, and Three Songs of Solitude, respectively. Chapter 6 is a summary and conclusion and contains recommendations for further study.; Appendix A is glossary of terms used in the dissertation. Appendix B is a performer's guide to the selected songs. Appendix C is an annotative listing of Dankner's complete solo vocal works. Appendix D is a catalog of Dankner's compositions. Appendix E contains copyright permission letters for the musical excerpts, poetry, and psalms. |
