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Abstract
This Culminating Experience (CE) project is an original EP of four tracks that reimagine and reinterpret works by J.S. Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven through the lens of contemporary genres including jazz, rock, house, samba, Afro-Cuban, and romantic solo piano. Rooted in my classical training, this project reflects a deeply personal and artistic journey toward bridging my classical foundations with a broader musical identity. Each piece explores iconic classical repertoire—Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and Bach’s Preludes in C major, C minor, and Bb minor from The Well-Tempered Clavier Book I—through processes of analysis, composition, arrangement, and collaboration. My primary objective was twofold: to diversify my artistic voice by composing and performing across multiple genres, and to increase the accessibility and relevance of classical music for contemporary audiences. Methodologies include case study, autoethnography, action research, and practice-based research. I studied existing reinterpretations by artists such as Adam Birnbaum, Hiromi, Muse, and the Klazz Brothers, to guide my own compositional approach. This project also served as a personal exploration of grief and healing, particularly in the track “Hold Me Up,” which was inspired by the loss of my stepfather. Each composition not only represents a musical reinterpretation, but also a stage of growth in my development as a composer, arranger, and performer. The final work stands as both a professional portfolio and a statement of artistic identity, positioning me for future endeavors in mainstream and cross-genre music creation, performance, and recording. It is a testament to the value of classical music as a living art form—one that can evolve, resonate widely, and still honor its roots.
Publication Date
7-1-2025
Campus
Valencia (Spain) Campus
Keywords
composition; arranging; rhythm; harmony; melody
Recommended Citation
McFall, Millicent. “Reimagining Iconic Works by Bach and Beethoven.” Master's thesis, Berklee College of Music, 2025. https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-contemporary-performance/336.