Abstract:
The intention of my thesis is twofold: to examine the influence of music in its
varying forms, on the life and work of Edgar Allan Poe and the subsequent
influence this had on music and musicians, especially the French musicians
of the early twentieth century, and in particular, Debussy and Ravel. There
will also be brief mention of Caplet and Milhaud,
As I trace the various musical stimuli which Poe encountered in his life I aim
to relate these to the following of his completed works:
Essays
Poetry
Prose
Philosophy of Composition, Rationale of Verse, The Poetic
Principle,
The Raven, The Haunted Palace, Annabel Lee,
The Fall of the House of Usher, The Masque of the Red
Death.
My examination of Poe's influence on French music and musicians of the
early twentieth century focuses mainly on:
Debussy: His writings; Prelude l'apres - midi d'un faune, Pelleas et
Melisande.
Ravel: His writings; The string Quartet, Gaspard de la nuit, La Valse,
Bolero, Jeux d'Eau.
With Caplet I discuss The Masque of the Red Death and with Milhaud
The Bells, a Symphonic Suite.
As a result of my examination of the above I aim to prove that
• music permeates the work of Edgar Allan Poe.
• he was a pivotal force of the French Symbolist movement.
• his philosophy is deeply entrenched in the music of Debussy and Ravel.
• he deserves recognition for his advancement of Literature and Music.