CALIFORNIA STATE UNNERSITY, NORTIIRIDGE
Graduate Recital in Piano
An abstract submitted in partial satisfaction of the
requirements for the degree of Master of Music in Performance
by
Violette Ding Yi Hu
January 1991
The abstract of Violette Ding Yi Hu is approved:
Dr. Elmer Heerema
Dr. Jeanine Jacobson
Fran~oise
Regnat, Chair
California State University, Northridge
11
ABSTRACT
GRADUATE RECITAL IN PIANO
by
Violette Ding Yi Hu
Master of Music in Performance
The recital program opens with the Sonata in A major, Op.101 by
Beethoven. Completed in the summer of 1816, this piece is one of his late
sonatas and one of the most virtuosic.
Some new elements displayed in this sonata are worth noticing. The use of
cyclic form is seen by the recurrence, in the third movement, of one of the first
movement themes. The canonic writing in the second movement and the fugal
writing in the last movement demonstrate Beethoven's interest in counterpoint.
In these two examples Beethoven uses contrapuntal writing to show strong
emotion.
The Four Ballades Op.lO by Brahms are Romantic character pieces. The
first ballade "Edward" is inspired by Herder's poem about a mother who
discovered that her son had murdered his father. The climax is violent with the
expression mark "pesante."
iii
In each ballade, the contrast among the sections is achieved by changing
the dynamics, key, tempo, and keyboard technique. These contrasts contribute
to the nature of the ballade in general and result in a distinctly different character
and mood for each of these four pieces.
Ravel's "Le tombeau de Couperin" was composed in 1917. Each of the
six movements is dedicated to a friend killed in the war. The succession of the
movements- Prelude, Fugue, Forlane, Rigaudon, Menuet, and Toccata, is
clearly a twentieth century version of the French Baroque dance suite.
The basic features of the Baroque dance suite incorporated in these pieces
are reflected in the form, meter, and texture; however, Ravel's harmony and
sonority as an impressionist are characteristic throughout the suite.
iv
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
presents
Violette Ding Yi Hu
a student of Francoise Regnat
in her
*Graduate Piano Recital
Saturday, December 8, 1990
5:00PM
Recital Hall Music Department
*In partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the. Master of Music Degree
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
presents
Violette Ding Yi Hu
in her
*Graduate Recital in Piano
Saturday, May 20, 1989
Recital Hall
1:00 P.M.
PROGRAM
Symphonic Variations for Piano ..................... Cesar Franck
and Orchestra
(1822- 1890)
Marina Gushansky, second piano
• In partial fulfilment of the requirements
for the Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance