Research Interests
Aidan’s research interests primarily focus on aesthetic, expression, artistic crossover, and critical reception of fin-de-siècle European and early 20th-century French Modernist art music. With an undergraduate degree in piano performance and musicology, Aidan is particularly interested in the pianistic output of this period. His previous explorations include Wagnerian developmental procedures Erik Satie’s piano works from his Rosicrucian period, while his current explorations encompass the temporal and spectral elasticity of Charles Koechlin and Federico Mompou. Furthermore, Aidan is fascinated by the East-West synthesis of Soviet Azerbaijani classical music (with particular emphasis on composer Fikret Amirov) and its connection to Azerbaijan, Russia, and the United States’ postmodern identities.
He is interested in music’s role in mysticism, occultism, and the piano’s expressive capabilities in shaping personal identity.
He is interested in music’s role in mysticism, occultism, and the piano’s expressive capabilities in shaping personal identity.
Fellowships, Gifts, and Supported Research
James B. Duke Fellowship ·
September 2025
Awarded by: Duke University 100th Anniversary Fund
The James B. Duke 100th Anniversary Fund provides fellowships for students who wish to pursue a program leading to the PhD in The Graduate School. Its objective is to help attract and develop outstanding scholars at Duke. Selection of recipients is made by a faculty committee upon nomination by the appropriate department. These fellowships provide a $5,000 stipend supplement for four years in addition to any other award the student receives from the department, The Graduate School, or national fellowships. This award is offered through The Graduate School.