Composition Portfolio Commentary

Abstract

This thesis consists of a portfolio of fourteen compositions, an accompanying commentary and recordings of the works on CD and DVD. The portfolio comprises one electronic composition, which is presented on the DVD, and thirteen printed scores spanning chamber, orchestral and vocal music, music written for young people and amateurs, and music created in collaboration with artists from different disciplines including text, film and dance. Through the works presented in the portfolio I have explored approaches to the construction of melody and harmony, the design and function of musical structure and form, and the variety of instrumental colour and timbre that can be achieved through the creative application of instrumentation. I consider these three areas to be fundamental compositional elements in my own work and areas for further exploration and expansion. The commentary comprises a broad discussion of the creative processes undertaken and how the portfolio relates to some movements and developments in current contemporary art music. The portfolio is contextualized with references to practitioners who have influenced my compositional output. These practitioners include Per Norgard, in particular his approach to melody and harmony through his discovery of the infinity series, and Magnus Lindberg, in particular his method of creating structural tempo relationships. Reference is also made to composers whose music elevates timbre to the same level of compositional significance as rhythm, melody, harmony and form, particularly composers of the so-called spectral movement such as Gerard Grisey. Please be aware that the compositions referred to in this thesis have not been digitised for copyright reasons.