36th Annual Student Research Conference
“Aoua!”: Maurice Ravel’s Musical Argument Against Colonialism
Theodore D. Greer♦
Dr. Paul Grobey, Faculty Mentor
This presentation includes an analysis of Maurice Ravel’s “Aoua!”, a musical setting of Évariste de Parny’s anti-colonialist poem. In this art song, Ravel reinforces said anti-colonialist perspective through a variety of musical aspects (his use of different timbres, rhythms, ranges, dynamics, and styles of accompaniment, in addition to his careful choice of pitch collections) in order to support and amplify the text.
Short excerpts of “Aoua!” will be played throughout the presentation to accompany the analytical examination.
Keywords: Music, Anti-Colonialism, Art Songs, Music Theory
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 201-3
Location: SUB Alumni Room
Time: 10:45