Phrase structure and formal functions in the opening themes of Tchaikovsky's Seasons op. 37 : departures from formal archetypes

Abstract

The objective of the thesis elucidates the phrase structures and formal functions within selected thematic units from Tchaikovsky's Seasons with borrowed concepts from William Caplin's theory of formal functions. The thesis is divided into 4 chapters. The opening chapter is devoted to the discussion of Caplin's fundamental concepts in his thematic archetypes. These will be used as a reference model for the analytical work later on. Chapter 2 associates theme types from The Season to Caplinian formal archetypes: sentence, period and hybrid theme types. Subsequently, the third chapter illustrates non-conventional theme types that possess non-classical formal departures. Finally, a summative conclusion on the analytical observations of The Seasons will be provided in the concluding chapter.