A portfolio of eleven compositions with an accompanying commentary submitted for the degree of PhD in Music Composition at the University of Aberdeen

This portfolio of eleven scores and an accompanying commentary is an in depth investigation into the use and development of compositional techniques over a wide range of instrumental and vocal combinations.  The scores submitted trace my development as a composer by considering research questions re...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Tierney, Paul
Published: University of Aberdeen 2010
Subjects:
780
Online Access:http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.521250
Description
Summary:This portfolio of eleven scores and an accompanying commentary is an in depth investigation into the use and development of compositional techniques over a wide range of instrumental and vocal combinations.  The scores submitted trace my development as a composer by considering research questions related to structural organisation, harmonic and rhythmic development and how external sources, particularly visual and literary, can be used as a starting point for the compositional process. Included in the portfolio are eleven works, categorised into three sections: instrumental music, solo works, and vocal music. The portfolio researches and examines elements of composition such as harmony, texture and timbral relationships, as well as the use of visual and literary art as a stimulus for composition across all of the instrumental and vocal combinations included.  My interest in the combination of pre-existing compositional methods such as serialism, with particular regards to pitch, and atonality is also examined in many of the scores and documented in the accompanying commentary.