This thesis explores musical form and examines the possible relationship between structures of mythology and musical form, especially with modern musical parameters in mind, all based on the ancient structures of myth. One method for working with musical form is also presented, which attempts to show how musical material can be transformed in the confines of this form template. The approach taken to study musical form and to understand and manipulate it in composition work in this thesis attempts to find patterns for musical form outside of established musical concepts. This thesis explores the structure of ancient mythology collected by the American writer Joseph Campbell and draws conclusions between that and musical form, which attempts to showcase the relations between traditional musical forms and ancient structures of myth, and also presents methods of working with these premises in contemporary music.

Karl-Birger Blomdahl (1916-1968) and Ingvar Lidholm (1921- ) were two leading figures in modern Swedish music. While studying in Stockholm they created a study circle known as the Monday Group. Regarded as anti-romanticists, Blomdahl and Lidholm revitalized musical creation by prioritizing compositional technique (as in hantverk, i.e. craft), melodic line and Gestalt concepts such as organicism. Following a study of this shared historical, aesthetic and theoretical framework, this thesis proposes a detailed analysis of thirty works by Blomdahl and Lidholm, dating from the 1940s. Based on the initial aesthetic and theoretical context and also on the theories of Schenker and Meyer, the analytical method used enables a graphical and textual representation of the compositional coherence and dynamic of the respective works. This thesis establishes the essential melodic, tonal and organic divergences in the musical languages of Blomdahl and Lidholm. Additionally, this thesis shows that the notions of linearity, dissonance and counterpoint have a deeper significance in Blomdahl’s and Lidholm’s respective musical languages than is to be found in many texts dating from this period. Finally, this thesis highlights aesthetic and compositional components that significantly invigorate modern music in Sweden.