a tragic rhapsody (final)

Copyright

by

Brandon Elliott Clinton

2016

The Thesis Committee for Brandon Elliott ClintonCertifies that this is the approved version of the following thesis:

A Tragic Rhapsody

APPROVED BYSUPERVISING COMMITTEE:

Russell Pinkston

Yevgeniy Sharlat

Supervisor:

A Tragic Rhapsody

by

Brandon Elliott Clinton, B. Music; M.A.

ThesisPresented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of

The University of Texas at Austin

in Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements

for the Degree of

Master of Music

The University of Texas at AustinMay 2016

Abstract

A Tragic Rhapsody

Brandon Elliott Clinton, M. Music

The University of Texas at Austin, 2016

Supervisor: Russell Pinkston

A Tragic Rhapsody is a piece about a single character going through a series of

emotional states. There are a series of six themes that permeate the piece. Each of these

themes represents an emotional state of the character. The first theme is tragic and is

heard from the outset in the cello. The second is heard in mm. 91 and is a theme of

growing hope. The third theme at mm. 103 is one of playful insanity. The fourth occurs at

mm. 169 and is one of light hearted searching and nervousness. The fifth theme first

occurs at mm. 453 represents peacefulness with a sense of tragedy. The final theme first

occurs at mm. 264 and is one of joy, hope, and triumph. The final them occurs three times

throughout the piece and is one of the few themes that is not tragic. Each time this theme

occurs, it tries to pull the piece away from it tragic nature. The final theme succeeds in its

third appearance when the piece reaches its climax. The piece then ends with a calm coda

that finally ends in a peaceful nature.

iv.

Instrumentation

2 Flutes

2 Oboes

2 Clarinets in B-flat

2 Bassoons

4 Horns

3 Trumpet in C

3 Trombones

1 Tuba

Timpani

1 Percussion (Cymbals, Bass Drum, Toms [high and low]), Tam-Tam

Violin I

Violin II

Viola

Cello

Bass

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°

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Fl.

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Cl.

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Perc.

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Vln. II

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accel.

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Table of Contents

INSTRUMENTATION 1.................................................................................................

A TRAGIC RHAPSODY SCORE 2.................................................................................

v.