| This dissertation analyzes and compares three of the large vocal/instrumental works of Arvo Part: Passio, Miserere, and Litany. These works were chosen for several reasons. First, they are all of substantial length (Passio 70 minutes, Miserere 35 minutes, and Litany 30 minutes). Second, these works, dating from 1982, 1989, and 1994, provide a chronological sampling of the composer's "tintinnabuli" style; this relatively wide time span allows for discussion of stylistic development. Third, although all three texts are sacred, they vary considerably in nature. Passio is a dramatic biblical narrative with dialogue and character portrayal, Miserere is a Psalm setting with a large interpolation of a portion of the Dies Irae sequence, and Litany is a setting of 24 prayers; each of these varied texts poses unique challenges to the composer.;Chapter One provides general information about the three works and a brief description of the tintinnabuli technique. Chapters Two through Four provides an in-depth analysis of each of these works. The analyses discuss such areas as large- and small-scale harmonic and melodic systems, musical and textual formal relationships, rhetoric, and dramatic gesture. Chapter Five summarizes the significant similarities and differences among these works, including a discussion of stylistic development. Appendix A contains all texts and translations, Appendix B provides a complete list of Part's works, and Appendix C provides a selected discography of Part's choral works. |
