Ping Zhu, M.Mus.: Chromaticism in English music for instrument and voice around 1600

Dissertationsprojekt:
Chromaticism in English music for instrument and voice around 1600

In the last quarter of the sixteenth century a number of prominent composers on the continent of Europe developed a pronounced interest in chromaticism. Around 1600, some English composers also followed this direction, but while research has so far focused on this aspect of the English madrigal far less attention has been paid to music for solo instrument and voice. This formes the basis for the present research.

First, I shall examine chromaticism against the background of music theory currently available in England, and then I shall attempt to relate this theory to contemporary chromatic practices from the point of view of melody, rhythm, harmony, texture. At the same time, the relationship between music and texts will be analyzed.

Based on this understanding, I shall then contrast chromatic English music for this setting with previously studied chromatic sources, to find out whether these all share a similar basis or if the nature of the chromaticism is at all determined by the instumentation itself.

Lastly, was this cultivation of chromaticism largely the response to continental influence or were there indigenous elements?

Vita:
2006-2008, Bachelor of Musicology, Xinghai Conservatory of Music, Guangzhou
2010-2013, Master of Musicology, Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing