21st Annual Student Research Conference
Tonal Axis & Its Relationship to Dominant Function in Joaquin Rodrigo's Adagio for Wind Orchestra (1966)
Theron S. Perkowski♦
Dr. Warren Gooch, Faculty Mentor
Rodrigo's Adagio for Wind Orchestra (1966) highlights his individual compositional style, as it features a Spanish musical idiom, expansive harmonies, quasi-improvisational melodies, and use of rich instrumental colors - all encompassed within a classical form. While this composition is highly respected, little has been written about its analytical significance. Simple, quiet, plaintive, and subdued character and ambience are interlaced with and interrupted by strong and bold sections of shifting modality and tonality that focus on complex and intricate use of the dominant within an established tonal axis. Harmonic and melodic analysis reveals the importance of the tone F# to the overall tonal architecture of the work, revealing a symmetrical web of motion towards and away from the dominant. The structural complexities of the tonal axis highlight the analytical richness of Rodrigo’s expressive composition, which can be viewed as an influential and unique musical artifact within the wind band repertoire.
Keywords: Joaquin Rodrigo, Wind Band, Analysis, Tonal Axis, Dominant Function
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 9-5
Location: OP 2117
Time: 9:15