Piano music of Mathilde Kralik von Meyrswalden (1857-1944)

Date
2012
DOI
Authors
Lo, Jessie Wen-Chieh
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Indefinite
OA Version
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Abstract
This dissertation examines the life and music of Mathilde Kralik von Meyrswalden (1857-1944), with a focus on her piano solo works. This project is intended to bring new light to the forgotten late-romantic Austrian composer. As a pupil of Anton Bruckner, and as a colleague of Gustav Mahler, Kralik's style belongs to the late Romantic period in Vienna. Her musical aesthetics are similar to the styles of Schubert, Liszt, Schumann, Wolf, Mahler, and StraufS; however she had her own unique voice from the beginning of her musical career. Though she was an active composer, performer, and musical figure of her time and was recognized and respected by the Viennese society, her life and work remain greatly understudied. Chapter 1 presents a detailed biographical background of Mathilde Kralik von Meyrswalden. Chapter 2 provides a complete list of work by Mathilde Kralik. Chapter 3 depicts the political background of her time, and then discusses the situation of women as artists in Vienna between 1850 and 19 50. Chapter 4 focuses on two people in her closest circle: her elder brother, Richard Kralik, who was a renowned writer and cultural commentator; and her friend, Alice Scarlates, who was a lecturer for Roman language at the University of Vienna and lived with Kralik in the same house in Wiener Cottage-Viertel for over 30 years. Chapter 5 analyzes her 5 Klavierstiicke- Festmarsh, Triiumerei, Liedchen, Intermezzo, and Gavotte. Chapter 6 continues the analysis with her other major piano solo work: Priiludium, Passacaglia, und Fugato. Lastly, Chapter 7 discusses the public and critical reception of her music, both during her time and in the modern era. The purpose of this project is first, to discover new sounds from a past style; second, to give credit to a serious, prolific, and independent female composer, who bravely chose a career with special challenges in her time and her surroundings; third, to encourage further research and performances of Kralik's works.
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Thesis (D.M.A.)--Boston University PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.
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