Three Dissertation Recitals and Document

Abstract

The dissertation consisted of three recitals and a written document. The first Dissertation Recital was performed in Hill Auditorium on January 23, 2023, in collaborated with Clayton Farmer, organ, Anna Janowski, violin, Sitong Liu, soprano, Jackson Merrill, organ, and John Solari, piano; Sonata in D minor for Organ Four Hands, op. 30, Gustav Adolf Merkel (1827–1885); Ballade for Piano and Organ, op. 30, Marcel Dupré (1886–1971); Missa in Simplicitate, Jean Langlais (1907–1992); Capriccio for Violin and Organ, Naji Hakim (b. 1955); Rhapsody for Organ Duet, Naji Hakim (b. 1955). The second Dissertation Recital was performed in Hill Auditorium on May 2, 2023. The program consisted of Fantasia and Fugue in G minor, BWV 542, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750); Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659, Johann Sebastian Bach; Prière, op. 20, César Franck (1822–1890); Suite, op. 5: Prélude, Sicilienne, Toccata, Maurice Duruflé (1902–1986). The third Dissertation Recital was performed in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor on August 4, 2023. The program consisted of Canonic Fanfare on “Fölszállott a Páva,” Bálint Karosi (b. 1979); Variations sur un thème de Clément Jannequin, Jehan Alain (1911–1940); Sonata in One Movement (on “Kalenda Maya”), Libby Larsen (b. 1950); Variations on a Folk Song (Peter, Go Ring Dem Bells), Florence Price (1887–1953); Prelude on an Old Folk Tune, Amy Beach (1867–1944); When the Mountain Sings, When the Children Cry, When the Skies Go Dark, Gu Wei (b. 1991); Toccata on a Hungarian Folk Melody “Által Mennék,” Bálint Karosi (b. 1979). The scholarly essay is an examination of contemporary organ compositions based on the topic of folk music. It examines works by both organist-composers and non-organist composers from diverse cultural backgrounds. It provides a music analysis of each composer’s compositions and insights from the performer’s perspective.