A PERFORMER’S GUIDE TO THE EFFECT OF TEMPERAMENTS IN SELECTED PIANO WORKS OF LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN

Zhang, Tong

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/130444 Copy

Description

Title

A PERFORMER’S GUIDE TO THE EFFECT OF TEMPERAMENTS IN SELECTED PIANO WORKS OF LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN

Author(s)

Zhang, Tong

Issue Date

2025

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Ehlen, Timothy

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Ehlen, Timothy

Committee Member(s)

• Tsitsaros, Christos
• Wu, Chi-Chen
• Carrillo, Carlos

Department of Study

School of Music

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

A.Mus.D. (doctoral)

Date of Ingest

2025-12-08T16:17:02-06:00

Keyword(s)

• Beethoven piano sonatas
• Well temperament
• Historical tuning systems
• Performance practice
• Key characteristics

Language

eng

Abstract

This dissertation investigates ways that well temperaments can enhance and highlight Beethoven’s compositional language. After surveying the evolution of tuning systems, a comparative theoretical analysis of three well temperaments is conducted: Werckmeister III, Kirnberger III, and Young I. These are compared with each other and with equal temperament. The well temperaments are then applied to musical examples in Beethoven’s piano sonatas, with reflections on each temperament’s nuanced tonal and expressive differences, and suggestions of how the sound of each temperament may affect interpretation of the music, including timing, agogic emphasis, balance, dynamics, and other considerations. Specifically, this exploration suggests how well temperaments can enhance aspects of interpretation based on the variety of dissonance and so-called “color” of the keys, intervals and harmonies. This work serves as a preliminary performance guide that pertains to specific sonatas and temperaments, but it may also be helpful for players of Beethoven’s other works, regardless of the tuning that is used. By highlighting the distinctive characteristics of certain well-tempered tunings, this research helps narrow a gap between theoretical understandings and practical applications of well temperaments. It also aims to suggest how historical temperaments can affect and enhance the interpretation of Beethoven’s piano sonatas.

Type of Resource

text

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2025

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