UNSUK CHIN’S PIANO MUSIC: 6 PIANO ETUDES (1995-2003) AND PIANO CONCERTO (1996-97)

Abstract

Unsuk Chin (b. 1961) is the most internationally recognised living Korean-born composer. She has received numerous awards including the prestigious 2004 Grawemeyer Award for her Violin Concerto, the 2005 Arnold Schoenberg prize, the 2010 Prince Pierre Foundation Music Award, and the 2012 Ho-Am Prize, and her works are performed worldwide by major orchestras and contemporary ensembles. The 6 Piano Etudes (1995-2003) and Piano Concerto (1996-1997) are important pieces of Chin’s, because these are her only compositions involving solo piano up to this point. They include many of the elements of her musical world as well as her various compositional styles and approaches to writing for the piano. In Chapter 1 of this Doctoral dissertation I provide a brief introduction to my research. In Chapter 2, Chin’s biography is outlined and an overview is given of her 6 Piano Etudes and Piano Concerto. Following this are in-depth analyses of the 6 Piano Etudes and Piano Concerto in Chapters 3 and 4 respectively, examining form and structure, harmony, rhythm, and Chin’s unique compositional methods. Chapters 3 and 4 focus on the influences and models for Chin’s music: gamelan ensemble, Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992), and Chin’s teachers, György Ligeti (1923-2006) and Sukhi Kang (b. 1934) as well as aspects of Korean music. In examining the synthesis of these influences along with her mature compositional approaches, I hope to add to the growing body of knowledge and understanding of Chin’s significance and of her work, the piano works in particular.