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Abstract

Stefans Grové (1922-2014) is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most distinguished composers of art music. He was one of the most prolific contributors to the country’s piano literature, having written large-scale cycles as well as several miniatures for the instrument. This thesis engages with his more widely-performed oeuvre, as well as earlier works that are forgotten or not currently in the public domain. A number of his piano works composed towards the end of his life are discussed here for the first time in an academic context. The two main premises explored in this thesis are the composer’s stylistic development and his approach to elements of piano technique and performance. His pianistic oeuvre is divided into style periods, and the seminal structural tools that recur throughout his creative career are evaluated.

A study of the composer’s engagement with indigenous Southern African musical and cultural elements forms a substantial part of the second and fourth chapters of this thesis. The realisation of technical elements in Grové’s piano music for concert performers as well as less advanced players is discussed in the third chapter, with reference to the formulations on the didactics of piano playing by pedagogues such as Heinrich Neuhaus, Béla Bartók, József Gát and Geőrgy Sándor. Aspects of finger technique, articulation and pedalling are the main points of investigation. In the outer chapters, Grové is placed within the historical context of piano tuition in South Africa and his position within the national canon of art music is considered and contextualised.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	M Music and Books on Music > M Music
Departments:	Doctoral Theses School of Communication & Creativity > Performing Arts > Music School of Communication & Creativity > School of Communication & Creativity Doctoral Theses

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