Man's struggle for salvation: A programmatic interpretation of Franz Liszt's B minor Sonata
(2023)
author(s): Leone Monaco
published in: KC Research Portal
Research question: “What can be learned about the programmatic relationship between Franz Liszt’s B Minor Piano Sonata and its programs?”
My research started as an investigation of the traditional programmatic relationship between Franz Liszt B minor Piano Sonata and Goethe’s Faust, but it had an unexpected outcome: Liszt B minor Sonata can be programmatically connected to multiple programs at the same time. Through the study of symbols behind themes and harmonies used by the composer, connections with other compositions, and the composer’s notes and letters, my research explains why and how the Sonata is programmatically inspired by Goethe’s Faust, Milton’s Paradise Lost and the Bible not only in its structure, but also from a philosophical and spiritual point of view.
I propose to look at the Sonata in a different way, considering a more general and Christian “leading thought” which connects all its possible programs and permeates the whole work: Liszt’s Sonata tells the story of every man and his lifetime struggle against temptations and damnation to reach salvation. At the end, I give practical suggestions on the interpretation of specific passages of the Sonata based on the considered symbolic connections with its programs and composer’s notes.
The chosen format of presentation is the exposition, because it gives me the possibility not only to include explanatory pictures and score excerpts, but also to use my own recordings to explain better the symbolism of themes or harmonies in certain passages and to show the practical and interpretive outcomes of my research.
A quest to belonging
(last edited: 2025)
author(s): Sanne Rambags
This exposition is in review and its share status is: visible to all.
A quest to belonging
My role within music and meaning-making
This reflection is about my quest to find my own folklore, which turned ou to be a quest for belonging. Along the way, I discovered that what I was truly searching for was a sense of belonging and deeper meaning in my life as a human being and musician. My master’s study became an exploration of existential questions, providing me with greater understanding. This quest changed my perspective on being a musician, proving to be life-changing. The journey initiated by this master’s study will continue beyond graduation. Within these two years, through this existential quest for belonging and learning from different wisdom traditions, I found my folklore, because I found out a little bit more about myself. This led to discovering my purpose as a musician and how I want to dedicate the rest of my life to it.
HEAR THE VISIONS: sacred materials and archeology of findings
(last edited: 2024)
author(s): Clara Marchana
This exposition is in progress and its share status is: visible to all.
Sacred materials and archeology of findings
Design 1 and 2, Do and Document Assignments, Research Line, Artistic Research
Master Choreography at Codarts University of the Arts in Rotterdam and Fontys School of Fine and Performing Arts in Tilburg, Netherlands
Intertwined - What does it mean to be a creative person of faith?
(last edited: 2019)
author(s): Joshua Hale, Kelly J. Arbeau
This exposition is in progress and its share status is: visible to all.
From the most religious to the most secular, no artist ever knows exactly where their creative process is leading—but we all seem to have faith that we will get there. Many factors underlying creativity are also crucial to the act of having faith. These shared factors include ambiguity tolerance, openness to mystery, engaging with paradoxical thinking, perseverance, and questioning. Additionally, those who practice each (creativity, faith) share many guiding phrases, such as “take it one step at a time,” “go with your heart,” and “trust the process.” This interdisciplinary arts-based research project explores the experience of being a self-identified creative who practices a faith or religion. The exhibition combines methods from arts-based research, human centered design, and phenomenology to describe the intersections between the creative practices and faith perspectives of 15 individuals. The experience of our participants is that of creativity and faith combining—intertwining—to form an interactional, hybrid experience that is profoundly different from each experience on its own.
Lessons in the Shadow of Death
(last edited: 2017)
author(s): Elisabeth Laasonen Belgrano
This exposition is in progress and its share status is: visible to all.
A voice.
Alone.
Sounding as a prayer.
As a meditation.
Moving through lamentation and hope.
In the middle of life.
In the middle of living.
In the shadow of Death.
There is a voice.
Voice of Life itself.
Voice of God.
A performance of a vocal prayer.
Voice - Elisabeth Belgrano