Klarinet Archive - Posting 000581.txt from 2002/07

From: "a" <LetsReason@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Scholarly Research in English Clarinet Music
Date: Sun, 21 Jul 2002 19:42:31 -0400

<<but I swear I completed it!>> [Chuck]

Author(s): WILLETT, CHARLES HOWARD
Degree: D.MUS.
Year: 1996
Pages: 00141
Institution: THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY; 0071
Advisor: Major Professor: FRANK KOWALSKY
Source: DAI, 57, no. 08A, (1996): 3319

Abstract: The four works examined in this treatise are the Trio in One
Movement, the Nonett, the Sonata for Clarinet and Piano, and the Concertante
for Three Wind Instruments.

The treatise begins with a chapter detailing the life and work of Arnold
Bax. Each of the next four chapters are devoted to one of the selected
works. Introducing each chapter is an explanation of the circumstances
surrounding the composition of the work. [....] (Continues...)

Yes...it looks like you did! ;-)

<<Robert, what's at issue here is that the purpose of a thesis is to learn
what *you* can do independently.>>

If we wish to call this project a thesis, then this is my second thesis from
which I am assigned to learn what I can deduce a need for and learn on my
own. ;-) I understand your point.

<<And that's why you are meeting resistance here.>>

Then I think people are misunderstanding what I am looking for. I'm not
looking for "A Topic" for my paper from anyone. What I am looking for are
suggestions and ideas that people have. From this pool of input, I would
then weigh the needs and desires expressed by those already in the field
with the topic areas I have already chosen.

My seeking input is indeed showing my ability to obtain information towards
my study. I see no value in sitting in a dark room reading endless
dissertations and abstracts only to conclude on my own that what I really
want is to study the significance of smudge marks on the manuscripts of
left-handed composers in England from 1880 to 1881. I mean, no-one has
published anything on that. I'm sure I could come to conclusions, call it a
dissertation, get my letters tacked onto the end of my name and insist on
people calling me Dr. Moody. Wonderful.

I know I am being overly dramatic, but my intention is simple and not
evasive of the intent of the dissertation exercise you describe. I have my
topic ideas and I will head down the path I choose, but I want my research
to be beneficial and desireable to a larger body of readers than Dr. This,
Dr. That and Dr. Everything who have to read it in order to bestow letters
upon me.

<<You used the phrase "quintessential English composer" several times in
your previous messages. Well.... is there truly a national character to
English music? If so, how can it be defined? If Stanford was Irish, why
did he write in the English style?

....and most important of all, what quality do *you* see in Stanford's music
that needs explaining? If there is such a qualty, what can *you* say
about it?>>

Very well said. Excellent questions to help one to understand their purpose
in preparing a dissertation and how to go about it. Sincerely.

My topic will be about clarinet literature by English composers from the
late "English Renaissance" to the first half of the Twentieth-century. I
have a deep interest in this general topic. I will narrow it down,
particularly to the literature from the three composers I mentioned. I
already have a plan that includes more narrowing than that, of course.
Again, what I want are for informed pedagogues, scholars and players to
offer suggestions or ideas of areas in the broader topic, mentioned first,
that are in need of research and reporting. I want my paper to be a value
to a greater whole than just being an exercise that someone grades and then
stuff's on the shelf. Shoot...I would like for the research to possibly
lead to a book or series of books. Let's go for it all, really. How about
starting research that will lead to SERIES of books covering ALL of English
clarinet literature and the relevant composers in a kind of template
product.

{:-D

So...any comments on areas to be researched within English clarinet
literature, more specifically concerning the works for clarinet by Stanford,
Finzi and Arnold? ;-)

Sincerely though, thanks for taking the time to reply. Good stuff and
important.

Robert

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