The Analysis and Interpretation of "Songs of Travel" by Ralph Vaughan Williams

• Main Authors: Siu-Hong Lei, 李兆康
• Other Authors: none
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2005
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/07858262725749790535

碩士 === 東吳大學 === 音樂學系 === 93 === Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) is one of the most important English composers from late 19th century to early 20th century, whose works include art songs, choral music, chamber music, symphonies and movie music. Although symphonies (e.g. A Sea Symphony and London Symphony) and works of his late life are more concerned and discussed, art songs and folk songs are the major kinds of work of his early period. "Songs of Travel" is a master piece of his early period, which is inspired by the poem of the English poet Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), putting 9 parts into music out of 44. This song cycle is for baritone (or bass baritone), which is also author's voice. The songs of this song cycle are characterized by different kinds of composing technique and arrangment, while integrating a complete concept. In this song cycle, the music combines the lyrics to bring a higher level of artistic concept, as long as the relationship of the vocal and the piano is not mere accompaniment, but mutual co-operation. Due to personal interest of English literature and favourite of the "travel" topic, the author is highly interested in "Songs of Travel". Therefore, by the study of this song cycle, I hope to achieve deeper interpretation and more adequate performance. Art song, unlike instrumental music, is the combination of lyrics and music. Thus, besides the study of the life of the composer, background of the music and musical analysis, this thesis also studies the poet and the poem. Therefore this thesis is studying in five aspects, the lives and styles of the composer and the poet, literal analysis of the poem, musical analysis and interpretation of the song cycle. Information gathering and analysis are the two methods for the studying aspects mentioned above. Information includes books, thesis, documents from journals and internet, and audio data. Analysis is consisted by literal and musical analysis, which the meaning of the words, musical form, harmony, rhythm and musical language are concerned. For interpretation, emotional expression and the relationship between vocal and piano are concerned.