A Comparative Analysis of the Variations Written for the Guitar on the Theme of Folia Within the Framework of Different Periods and Performance Techniques
Thesis Type: Doctorate
Institution Of The Thesis: Yildiz Technical University, Faculty of Art & Design, Department of Music and Performing Arts, Turkey
Thesis Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Harun Batırbaygil
Approval Date: 2011
Thesis Language: Turkish
Abstract:
The variations written for the guitar with respect to the folia theme has a history of more than 450 years. In every epoch in the history of the guitar folia variations for the guitar has been composed. The changing and altering structures of the guitar and folia can be directly observed in these works. In this research which adopts an ontological stance of considering musical work as ?a living organism,? the `folia theme? has been utilized as a common ground to uncover the changing and diversifying structures. Although the folia variations written for the guitar occupy an important position in guitar repertoires and education, a few of these have been used in concerts or guitar repertoires. Moreover, the fact that folia has expanded over centuries with constant alterations has engendered crucial problems for the performances and interpretations. In this thesis, the influences of the historical evolution of the guitar and the periodic performance techniques upon the folia written for the guitar have been studied. Vihuela, five-course Baroque guitar, six strings classical guitar and six strings modern guitar have been studied with respect to their performance techniques. In this thesis, the etudes have been given priority in terms of methods written for these instruments. Furthermore, this study encompasses an analysis of how variations of folia written for the guitar reflect the historical development of Western Art Music and its different epochs, along with the anachronistic cases present in these relations. The folia variations composed by Alonso Mudarra, Francesco Corbetta, Diego Pisador, Maura Giuliani, Fernando Sor, Miguel Llobet, Manuel Ponce and Maurice Ohana have been utilized for the anlaysis. In terms of the study?s methodology, comparative historical and musical analysis methods have been employed. As a result, the impact of performance techniques on folia variations written for the guitar has been ascertained within the framework of guitars of certain periods. Within the folia variations written by guitarists-composers, composer-interpreter (guitarist) and non-guitarist composers? works, the influence of periodic guitar performance techniques? has been clearly observed. In addition, through these folia variations written for the guitar, anachronistic cases manifest in the periodic developments of Western Art Music have been uncovered. Key Words: Folia, les folies d?Espagne, folia variations, performance techniques, vihuela, guitar, cooperation of the guitarists-composers and the composer-interpreter.