Tension in imagery : a cappella choral settings of Rainer Maria Rilke's poetry by Ramona Luengen

2009·9 MB·English

by  Marlin, Melanie J., author

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2017 with funding from
University of Alberta Libraries
https://archive.org/details/marlin2009

University of Alberta
Tension in Imagery: A cappella choral settings of Rainer Maria Rilke’s poetry by
Ramona Luengen
by
Melanie J Marlin
An essay submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of Master of Music
in
Choral Conducting
Department of Music
Edmonton, Alberta
Spring 2009
SSPARTMENT Of MUSK
11

Abstract:
This paper examines areas of tension in the a cappella choral settings of Rainer
Maria Rilke’s poetry by Ramona Luengen. Existing research that seeks to clarify
perception of tension in music is overviewed and considered in order to isolate key
elements that communicate the concept musically. In addition, the possibilities for
perception of tension within poetry are determined, as well as the potential for opposing
elements in the relationship between text and music. Within this framework for
examining tension, the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke is contextualized. Ramona
Luengen’s five a cappella choral settings of Rilke’s poetry are examined individually,
ordered by date of composition, to determine areas of tension that are perceived. The
paper concludes with a brief reflection on the techniques Luengen uses to portray these
areas of tension, and how Rilke’s poetry contributes to this creation. Appendices that give
full text and translations of the five poems are included.
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