The composition of new music inspired by music philosophy and musical theoretical writings from ancient Greece

• Main Author: Morsink, Coreen
• Published: Goldsmiths College (University of London) 2013
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.586869

This thesis consists of a portfolio of compositions linked to ancient Greece and a theoretical and historical explanation of the music of ancient Greece which led to the composing of each piece. Every composition explores an aspect of ancient Greek tuning systems or a tuning system that related to Ancient Greece. Compositions for solo violin, solo alto flute, solo quarter-tone alto flute and solo clarinet use monophony as well as harmonics from the overtone series and number series. A chamber work, string quartet and solo piano piece exploit heterophony. Harmony and polyphony based on quarter-tones from ancient Greek style scales are issued in a work for choir and orchestra. The compositions do not reconstruct music from ancient Greece but rather use the ideas of the past as a step forward to new original compositions and a new style of writing.