Date Available

10-21-2025

Year of Publication

2025

Document Type

Doctoral Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

College

Arts and Sciences

Department/School/Program

Music

Faculty

John Cody Birdwell

Faculty

Shayna L. Stahl

Abstract

Luis Serrano Alarcon’s composition, Second Symphony for Wind Orchestra (2017), is a significant work for the wind ensemble. Written as a tribute to the great Romantic composers it was inspired by their symphonies. It is neo-classical in form but contains a neo-Romantic language and a compositional style unique to the Spanish composer.

The purposes of this dissertation are: 1.) to provide biographical details regarding Luis Serrano Alarcon and his musical career; 2.) to place the Second Symphony for Wind Orchestra in perspective within other modern works for wind band and within the composer’s own catalogue; 3.) to elaborate on the musical traits and characteristics of the piece through analysis; and to 4.) provide conductors with information to assist in rehearsing and performing the piece.

Chapter one will discuss the biographical and historical details regarding Alarcon and his musical works. Chapter two discusses instrumentation and how Alarcon utilizes each instrument. Chapters three through six will analyze each of the four movements respectively with excerpts and discussions on form, instrumentation, orchestration, harmonic framework, and compositional techniques. Chapter seven will discuss suggestions for further study. Several appendices will be included to assist future conductors of the piece.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2025.450

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