Alan Hovhaness and the Creation of the 'Modern Free Noh Play'
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Date
2009-06
Authors
Kinnear, Tyler, 1985-
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
American composer Alan Hovhaness (1911-2000) published twelve operatic
works during his career. Eight of these staged productions were written between the
years 1959 and 1969. During these ten years Hovhaness immersed himself in the music
and theatre of Japan. The composer traveled to Japan twice, once in 1960 and again in
1962, where he frequently attended Noh plays. As composer-in-residence at the
University of Hawaii in 1961, Hovhaness took private lessons on and composed freely
for the instruments of Gagaku, the ancient court music of Japan.
My study investigates the degree to which Hovhaness was exposed to Gagaku and
Noh, and what elements of these Japanese alts the composer manifests in his staged
works between 1959 and 1969. I compare Hovhaness' treatment of Japanese elements to
that ofother twentieth-century Western composers interested in East Asian music.
Through this study we gain greater knowledge of Hovhaness' operatic style.
Description
xi, 135 p. : ill., music. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number.
Keywords
Hovhaness, Alan, 1911-2000 -- Criticism and interpretation, Hovhaness, Alan, 1911-2000 -- Appreciation, Hovhaness, Alan, 1911-2000 -- Operas