A comparison of passacaglias in piano trios by Ravel and Shostakovich from a historical and theoretical perspective

This dissertation contains a comparison from a historical and theoretical perspective of the passacaglia from the Piano Trio in E Minor, Op. 67, written by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975), and the passacaglia from the Piano Trio in A Minor, written by Maurice Ravel (1875-1937).Before the history and theory discussion of these two movements begins, a background is given on the passacaglia form and its origins. References are made to the beginnings of the passacaglia in Italy and Spain, as well as the gradual evolution of the form into the keyboard music of the 17th century. Early published examples of passacaglias are displayed in chapter two.The third and fourth chapters of this dissertation are the focus of the comparison, where historical and theoretical information is discussed and deciphered. In the history section, details of the life of the composer during the time he wrote the piece are provided. The theory section contains a concentrated examination and comparison (enhanced by musical examples) of melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, and form, as used by Ravel and Shostakovich in these two passacaglias.It was concluded in this dissertation that both of these master composers used the passacaglia form successfully in their piano trios. As a result, they contributed musical masterpieces in the genre of the piano trio for musicians and scholars alike to investigate, study, and perform.School of MusicThesis (D.A.