Written scriptions/essays/thesis/research

[franz_]

Hello,

I need to write and give some kind 'research question' for my conservatory.
You ask yourself some specific question about a piece, a composer,... you do research about it, and you try to find an answer on that specific question, trying not to be too historical.
I hope it is a bit clear.

My question to you is if you have interesting ideas for topics, if you had to do something similar, or if you know where on the net I can find such a works.

Yes, I'm lazy, and want to spent more time on practicing instead of writing 20 pages.

Ant ideas and info is very welcome!

[pianoman53]

You mean like "How did Liszt become such an icon?" or "How has the view on composition changed"? Or should it be more concrete?

[quantum]

This book was extremely useful to me.  Perhaps it may help you find your research question. 

https://www.amazon.ca/Craft-Research-Third-Wayne-Booth/dp/0226065669

[franz_]

You mean like "How did Liszt become such an icon?" or "How has the view on composition changed"? Or should it be more concrete?

Thanks for both answers.

Those questions are too broad, and the answer to it has a music historical context.
Some question can f.e. be 'what is the most correct tempo to play the third movement of x sonata'   or,  'which elements did Liszt use in his Don Juan transcription and how did he addapt them to the piano instrument'

It aren't may be ideal questions as well, as I just invented them now, but it should give you an idea. It can even go about a particular bar in a piece. Think about the pages that are written about the B/B flat discussion in the Hammerklavier sonata.

[brogers70]

Here are a couple.

1. In Beethoven's Sonata #9 in E major, most of the development section is taken up by a long section in RH octaves and LH arpeggios, starting in A minor. It seems to have nothing to do with anything presented in the exposition. What's going on there?

2. In Mozart's A minor sonata, the third movement is very spare, lots of fourths and open harmonies, mostly minor and all pretty bleak. Smack in the middle, though, there's this little music box tune in parallel thirds. Is is meant ironically to heighten the nihilism, is it relief, what's it doing there?

Probably you could come up with similar questions based on pieces you are working on.

[franz_]

Indeed, those questions aren't too bad brogers70.

You also know the answers on them? )

You guys never had to do a similar kind of work for conservatory?