Honors Thesis Archive
| Author | Jennifer Konowal |
|---|---|
| Title | Narrating the Lives of Saints and Sinners in Samuel Barber’s Hermit Songs |
| Department | Music |
| Advisor | Dr. Daniel Kazez, Dr. Michael Mattison, Dr. David Schubert |
| Year | 2015 |
| Honors | University Honors |
| Full Text | View Thesis (1457 KB) |
| Abstract | This study examines Samuel Barber’s life as a hermit and how this allowed him to become inspired by the poems of Irish hermits and monks in early Ireland, aiding him in retelling the stories of the monks in his work the Hermit Songs. The essay looks at three songs, “At St. Patrick’s Purgatory,” “St. Ita’s Vision,” and “Promiscuity,” and analyzes how Barber uses various musical techniques of non-functional harmony, syllabic rhythm, and various chords to harmonize and retell the stories of those who dedicated their lives to God. |
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