Honors Program
Honors Program: Theses
First Advisor
Paul Barnes
Second Advisor
Mark Clinton
Date of this Version
1-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Citation
Brown, Nathaniel A. "J.A.C. Redford’s Variations on the Incarnation: Looking Back and Forward with Piano Theme and Variations." 2025. Undergraduate Honors Thesis. University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Abstract
This senior thesis consists of a lecture recital and research regarding the development of the theme and variations form in piano literature. It will trace the way the types of pieces that use theme and variations have developed from era to era and composer to composer. The culminating lecture recital will present my research on the topic and will end with a performance of J.A.C. Redford’s Variations on the Incarnation, one of the most recently published theme and variations pieces for solo piano. Redford’s piece was commissioned by Dr. Paul Barnes.
The composers and pieces featured in this project will be G.F. Handel’s Chaconne in G Major HWV 435, J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations BWV 988, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Sonata in A Major K. 331 I. Andante grazioso, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Variations and Fugue for Piano in E♭ major Op. 35 (Eroica) & 32 Variations in C Minor WoO 80, Johannes Brahms’ Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel Op. 24, Anton Webern’s Variations for Piano Op. 27 III. Ruhig flieBend, and J.A.C. Redford’s Variations on the Incarnation.
This project will trace the development of the theme and variations form and argue that Redford’s piece looks back at composer’s methods, as well as looking forward by presenting new techniques for the theme and variations form. The main component of the project will be the lecture recital, which will be recorded. This paper functions as the supplementary written component to the creative project for the thesis.
Comments
Copyright Nathaniel Brown 2025.