Abstract
This treatise presents a study of the two solo guitar works of Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, Impromptus and Sonata. This study is divided into four chapters: the first chapter is an introduction, presenting a brief survey of previous writings on the two works, the reception of each work, and the analytical method used in the study. The second chapter presents a biography of Bennett, an exploration of his musical language and style, and a discussion of the influences on his style. The third chapter focuses on the Impromptus and surveys the guitar’s repertoire immediately prior to its publication, the influence of Julian Bream on its composition, and an in-depth performer’s analysis of each movement. The fourth chapter focuses on the Sonata, showing how it follows similar processes to those seen in the Impromptus, and also how it departs from the strict serialism seen in the preceding work.
In addition to exploring pre-compositional techniques, this treatise presents analysis of form for each movement and the phrase structures in both pieces. It also brings to light some errata discovered in the Impromptus.
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