29th Annual Student Research Conference
Bringing Bach Back: The Use of Bach Chorales in Modern Wind Band Repertoire
Lynnea D. Wootten♦
Dr. Curran Prendergast, Faculty Mentor
Considered to be the greatest master of harmony and counterpoint, Johann Sebastian Bach's highly skilled works have long occupied music history textbooks. As a prominent composer of the Baroque Period, J.S. Bach's music can still be found being performed, studied, and researched today. Bach's chorales have served as the inspiration for many composers, whether they were transcribed for certain ensembles or used to inspire new compositions with the chorale idea. In modern wind band repertoire, compositions can be found with quotes from the original Bach chorales. Some of those pieces include David Maslanka's Give Us This Day, Frank Ticheli's Symphony no. 2, and David Biedenbender's Luminescence. These pieces are unique in that the Bach chorales applied are not the focal point of the piece, nor are the chorales the main motif that the pieces unwinds around. Through analysis I will describe how the Bach chorales are used in these compositions, see how the original harmonies are utilized in new ways, and find out just why Bach's chorales work so well in the band realm.
Keywords: Instrumental music, band, Bach
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: -5
Location: OP 2210
Time: 10:30