Occultations: an exploration and expansion of solo and chamber literature written for the flugelhorn
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
Solo and chamber literature written for flugelhorn has largely confined the instrument to several tropes and themes since its integration into classical music, hampering its growth in the genre. Although its current application has typecasted the instrument in slow and “bluesy” settings, it has shown great potential as a versatile solo voice. This dissertation explores the history of the flugelhorn and how it is utilized in solo, chamber, unaccompanied, electroacoustic music, and more. Additionally, I have commissioned four new works to initiate an expansion of the instrument’s repertoire in the concerto, sonata, chamber, and electroacoustic genres. This dissertation is structured to first provide a historical overview of the organological development of the flugelhorn starting with its origins from the keyed bugle in the early 19th century. This includes its earliest performances, method texts, and appearances in scores. With the instrument’s history clarified, this document then explains how its usage has changed from its historical roots to its treatment in modern performance. This includes the flugelhorn’s application in orchestral, wind band, jazz, brass bands, and pop music performance as well as its perception as a solo and chamber instrument. After identifying the modern themes connected with the instrument in these genres, this project provides additional information on key contributors to the flugelhorn’s development and visibility such as manufacturers, performers, and composers of flugelhorn repertoire.
The final portion of this document details existing and new repertoire involving the flugelhorn. This section identifies landmark works for the flugelhorn and how they are significant to the development of the instrument’s stature. With the existing repertoire discussed, this document will then provide additional information about the pieces I commissioned from Raymond J. Horvat, Eric Rath, Thomas Weaver, and Enrico Chapela. These pieces are analyzed and discussed with feedback from the composers to generate new flugelhorn works that feature the instrument in inventive and virtuosic ways. Supplemental resources including an extensive repertoire list and a list of popular music songs that utilize the flugelhorn are included as appendices to this document.
Description
2025
License
Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International