Martin Bresnick's “Bitter Suite” Duo for Violin and Piano

Authors

Xun Xu, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

David C. Neely

Degree Name

Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)

Department

Music (Violin Performance)

Date of this Version

8-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Citation

A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Graduate College of the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Major: Music (Violin Performance)

Under the supervision of Professor David C. Neely

Lincoln, Nebraska, August 2024

Comments

Copyright 2024, Xun Xu. Used by permission

Abstract

This document is intended to be a practical tool for those interested in performing, researching, and cultivating an acute understanding of Martin Bresnick’s Bitter Suite Duo for Violin and Piano. A composer working within varying neoclassical and modern idioms, Bresnick has merited many accolades, from the Rome Prize to a Guggenheim to the American Academy of Arts and Letters' first-ever Charles Ives Living Award.

The first movement of Bitter Suite was commissioned by the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bresnick enjoyed composing this movement and was inspired to write three additional movements, transforming the commission into a complete four-movement suite. He reimagined and reconstructed existing Yiddish folk songs, aiming to expand upon the lyrics by exacerbating the mood and atmosphere of each song, altering melodic content, and increasing rhythmic complexity. Bitter Suite is a compelling composition that unfolds in four movements, each contributing uniquely to the overarching narrative of the piece.

This document provides an analysis of the compositional techniques utilized for each movement, as well as contextual information about the original Yiddish folk music. Bresnick skillfully applies his craft to his interpretation of these folk songs; consequently, Bitter Suite honors the beauty of the melodies while recognizing the historical context from which they emerged. The ultimate goal of this document is to introduce this composer to the violin and piano duos who wish to perform his Bitter Suite, and to the audience that seeks to explore his compositional ideas.

Advisor: David C. Neely

Recommended Citation

Xu, Xun, "Martin Bresnick's “Bitter Suite” Duo for Violin and Piano" (2024). Dissertations and Doctoral Documents from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–. 152.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissunl/152