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Title page for ETD etd-09042003-184312


Type of Document Dissertation
Author Vollen, Guy James
URN etd-09042003-184312
Title Carnival Of Souls: A Symphony For Winds, Percussion, Harps And Low Strings
Degree Doctor of Philosophy
Department Music, School of
Advisory Committee
Advisor Name Title
Ladislav Kubik Committee Chair
James Croft Committee Member
James Mathes Committee Member
Michelle Stebleton Committee Member
Peter Spencer Committee Member
Keywords
  • Percussion
  • Harps And Low Strings
  • A Symphony For Winds
Date of Defense 2003-06-01
Availability unrestricted
Abstract
Carnival of Souls is a work in three movements with a brief prelude, played without break, approximately eighteen minutes in duration. It is scored for conventional wind band with added low strings, harps, and electronics.

The three movements were inspired by the three sections of Dante’s Divine Comedy and their respective moods: “Inferno,” “Purgatorio,” and “Paradiso.” The dramatic trajectory of

Carnival of Souls is a progression upwards from dark, heavy textures representing spiritual

bondage to the bright and lyrical content of the third movement. The relationship between the

worldly--even sensual--materials of the beginning and the heavenly apotheosis of the end is more

complex than one of simple opposition. As in Dante’s poem, the most rarefied spiritual states

are tempered by references to lived human experience; the progression toward a reconciliation of

the musica mundana and musica humana is exemplified by the epigraphs of the first and third movements (below).

Believe me, ill will it go with mortal women in that heaven of which thou speakest if only the spirits be more fair, for their lords will never turn to look upon them, and their Heaven will become their Hell.

H. Rider Haggard, She

The creature whose substance is bliss is everywhere at home. All sounds, even to the

roaring of Lions, the screeching of the nightly Owls, the laments and groans of those

entrapped in Hell, are as sweet Musick to her. All odours, even to the foulest stench of

Corruption, are to her as the delight of roses and Lilies. All savours, even to the banquettable

of the Harpys of heathen lore, are as Sweet loaves and spiced Ale. Wandering at noon through the Waste-Places of the world, it seems to her she is refreshed by Canopies of flocking Angels. . . . Thrust a keen Sword-blade through her and it will seem as a fountain of Divine and Pure pleasure.

Jane Lead, The Wonders of God’s Creation

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  01_gjv_prelims.pdf 12.92 Kb 00:00:03 00:00:01 00:00:01 < 00:00:01 < 00:00:01
  01_gjv_prelims.pdf 12.92 Kb 00:00:03 00:00:01 00:00:01 < 00:00:01 < 00:00:01
  02_gjv_text1.pdf 33.63 Mb 02:35:42 01:20:04 01:10:04 00:35:02 00:02:59
  03_gjv_text2.pdf 513.00 Kb 00:02:22 00:01:13 00:01:04 00:00:32 00:00:02
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  06_gjv_track1.aif 4.22 Mb 00:19:32 00:10:03 00:08:47 00:04:23 00:00:22
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