Centricity and Structure in Malcolm Arnold's Fantasy for Bassoon
Jessie J. O'Dell♦
Dr. Warren Gooch, Faculty Mentor
Malcolm Arnold's Fantasy for Bassoon is a work for unaccompanied bassoon solo, with no key signature or apparent key center. A more careful examination, however, reveals a tonic center around B-flat with prominent motives and a clearly articulated structural form. Most connective material between the motives can be categorized into two types of motion, and the overall piece is in a rondo form, unlike a typical musical fantasy, which would be in an improvisatorial style with free form. This structure and the centricity of the B-flat pitch throughout the piece make Arnold's Fantasy for Bassoon an atypical fantasy. The session will include a performance demonstration.
Keywords: music, bassoon, analysis, theory
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 202-1
Location: OP 2117
Time: 9:30