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ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Reviving the Nibelungenlied: A Study and Exploration of the Relationship between Medieval Literature and Music

Bretz, Katherine Hazel-Louise
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1399300392

Abstract Details

2014, BM, Kent State University, College of the Arts / School of Music, Hugh A. Glauser.
During the Middle Ages, oral poets often sang the tale of the hero Siegfried, his murder, his widow Kriemhild';s revenge, and the downfall of the Burgundian kingdom. A medieval epic poem written in Middle-High German, the Nibelungenlied is widely known among German citizens and scholars alike. Its historical and mythological roots include the defeat of the Burgundians during the Volkerwanderung (Great Migration Period) and the legend of Siegfried. I applied my own knowledge of medieval Germanic literature and music by performing this work in its original language, and this paper discusses the research and planning that went into my performance. Medieval epic poetry was often sung when performed, and the Nibelungenlied is no exception. To prepare the performance, I selected sections of the text to perform and set them to the Hildebrandston, a melody that is believed to be similar to that of the Nibelungenlied, whose original melody is no longer known. I also examined certain phonological aspects of Middle High German so as to present the text as authentically as possible. I accompanied my singing of the Nibelungenlied on a lap dulcimer, a three-stringed, fretted instrument and member of the zither family. I used variations in dynamics, vocal color, and accompaniment to enhance the dramatic aspect of the performance. After my investigations, I was able to consider the cultural context and reception of the Nieblungenlied, as well as interpret its many themes such as honor, duty, betrayal, revenge, and destruction. The entire work can be viewed as a commentary on the shift in ideals from heroic victory to lawful rule and order. In completing this project, I have had the opportunity to explore the relationship between literature and music in their historical and cultural context.
Jay White (Advisor)
Geoffrey Koby (Committee Member)
Jane Dressler (Committee Member)
Don-John Dugas (Committee Member)
57 p.
Germanic Literature; Medieval Literature; Music
Nibelungenlied; Medieval German Poetry; Oral Formulaic Theory; Medieval Music; Oral Poetry; Lecture Recital; Epic Poetry

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bretz, K. H.-L. (2014). Reviving the Nibelungenlied: A Study and Exploration of the Relationship between Medieval Literature and Music [Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1399300392

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bretz, Katherine. Reviving the Nibelungenlied: A Study and Exploration of the Relationship between Medieval Literature and Music. 2014. Kent State University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1399300392.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bretz, Katherine. "Reviving the Nibelungenlied: A Study and Exploration of the Relationship between Medieval Literature and Music." Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1399300392

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ksuhonors1399300392
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© 2014, some rights reserved.Creative Commons License Reviving the Nibelungenlied: A Study and Exploration of the Relationship between Medieval Literature and Music by Katherine Hazel-Louise Bretz is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at etd.ohiolink.edu.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University Honors College and OhioLINK.