Unveiling Narrative in Liszt’s Dante Sonata Through Topical Analysis

Narrative theory and its application in music have increasingly captured the interest of musicologists. Despite this growing attention, the analytical model remains relatively new compared to more established methods. Continued exploration and application are necessary to demonstrate its value alongside traditional theoretical frameworks. This dissertation employs narrative theory to examine the ironic comedy archetype in Franz Liszt’s Dante sonata, utilizing a bottom-up approach to construct a detailed musical narrative across three analytical tiers. Chapter two, representing the primary level, analyzes the sonata-fantasy macro-structure, uncovering key themes and the dynamic interplay between contrasting dichotomies. Chapter three, the secondary level, investigates semiotics, focusing on the primary isotopies in the Dante sonata and their role in creating extramusical associations through various modalities. Chapter four, the tertiary level, applies topic theory, incorporating insights from Leonard Ratner, Raymond Monelle, and Robert Hatten, to explore the interaction of musical phrases and establish a foundation for plot and character development. The concluding chapter synthesizes the insights from the preceding chapters, using Bryon Almèn’s narrative model, influenced by the works of Northrop Frye and James Jakób Liska, to deliver a cohesive narrative analysis. The dissertation also highlights specific examples from Liszt’s Dante sonata and discusses the broader implications of this analytical approach for future research, underscoring its potential to enrich the field of musicology.