| This thesis presents an in-depth analysis of the musical materials forming Leon Kirchner's Piano Sonata and focuses on the elements that unify this large-scale, freely-atonal composition. The core of the thesis is devoted to elements of cyclic references, thematic returns, tonal centricity, and melodic transformations.;The individual chapters investigate form, harmony, and melody, illustrated with musical excerpts from Kirchner's Piano Sonata, Bela Bartok's Night Music from Out of Doors Suite, and Maurice Ravel's Le Gibet from Gaspard de la Nuit. Appendices include a list of Kirchner's most recent works, discography, and bibliography. |
