Date of Award

Summer 2025

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Department

School of Music

First Advisor

J. Daniel Jenkins

Second Advisor

Nicholas Susi

Abstract

Twentieth-century German composer Paul Hindemith was influenced by music of the classical period. While music in the twentieth century is often associated with atonality and irregular structures, various compositional trends emerged during this period. Hindemith was recognized as part of the neoclassical movement. His three piano sonatas, composed in 1936, not only incorporate classical elements but also integrate 20th-century techniques. This document examines how Hindemith blends classical and post-tonal techniques in his Piano Sonata No. 2.

This study provides an analytical exploration of Hindemith’s Piano Sonata No. 2 and is structured into five chapters. Chapter One introduces the purpose and content of the document. Chapter Two offers a brief overview of the history of neoclassical music. Chapters Three and Four form the core of the study: Chapter Three explores 20th-century post-tonal theory and examines the balance between tradition and innovation in Hindemith’s sonata, while Chapter Four presents a phrase rhythm analysis, focusing on phrase structure and progression within the piece. Finally, Chapter Five concludes by discussing how performers can develop new interpretations of the sonata based on the analysis and insights presented in the study.

Rights

© 2025, Yi-Ting Chen

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