Michael Vincent, a Ph.D. candidate in musicology at UF, published a chapter titled "Continuous Expositions and Static Harmonic Modules in Boccherini's Sonata Forms" in Boccherini Studies, volume 5. The paper explores the effects of "static harmonic modules" on 18th-century composer Luigi Boccherini's musical forms.
“This essay broadens our view of music from the 18th century by focusing on an important but often neglected composer,” he said. “Boccherini is not the only composer to use static harmonic modules, but he certainly uses them more often than most.”
The Boccherini Studies, volume 5, explores the large gap in the music-historical and musicological studies dedicated to Boccherini. Vincent believes that his chapter helps unify the gap of how and why Boccherini’s style is different.
“Boccherini has often been called an idiosyncratic composer because of his unique style,” Vincent said. “My work helps us to understand Boccherini's style so we can approach his music on its own terms. I offer a model for analyzing Boccherini's music.”
Vincent explained how Boccherini’s work is still used in popular culture today. Films such as Master and Commander (Peter Weir, 2003) and The Ladykillers (Joel and Ethan Coen, 2004), guitar ensemble repertoire, and Spanish classical music are heavily influenced by his music.
“In my own view, Boccherini is one part of a broader constellation of European music from the 18th century,” he said. “His cosmopolitan career is emblematic of that time period. I enjoy his music for its creativity and I admire it for its cultural importance.”Read Vincent's work in Boccherini Studies by clicking here.
