Ann Southam's Solo Piano Music: A Performance Guide
Abstract
Ann Southam (1937-2010) is one of Canada’s greatest contemporary composers. Best-known for her minimalist music, Southam composed twelve-tone, minimalist, jazz, and electroacoustic music for a variety of mediums including orchestral, chamber, and solo instrument. A significant portion of her creative output is for solo piano and this monograph is the first study of these works. This project demonstrates her wide-ranging approach to composition while also focusing on her minimalist music. It promotes Southam’s music and emphasizes her significance as a contemporary Canadian composer. This monograph can be used by performers, scholars, composers and teachers to deepen their understanding of Southam and her music which will in turn foster well-informed performances of her solo piano music. This broad project is meant to enhance the approachability of Southam’s music while also acting as a foundation on which further research can develop.