This thesis centres on an examination of the music and commentary of Thomas Adès. Though academics and journalists alike have noted the importance of Adès's programmatic descriptions, there is little work that considers his music alongside his commentary. Reinforcing this split is the notion that Adès is not merely reticent but also deliberately misleading: Service (2012) notes the way in which Adès wittily plays with his questions in interview whilst Fox (2004) suspects the composer of being knowingly naïve when outlining his approach to Brahms and the Piano Quintet. Venn (2006) has investigated the relationship between the discourse stemming from Asyla's title and the music, concluding that 'the notion of asylum inspires the musical processes only in an abstract manner, if at all'. However, examining the music alongside his commentary can uncover valuable insights into his music and enrich our experience of the work. I shall explore the two of his works, Polaris (2010) and Living Toys (1993) and their programmatic discourse in order to demonstrate how it can be understood as part of the work. Thomas Adès, builds up elaborate conceptual metaphors which I shall explore through Facounnier and Turner's theory of Conceptual Blending. It is my position that, rather than understanding programmatic discourse as an explanation or translation of Adès's music, it is more fruitful to view it as an extension of the compositional process, and an active part of the work. The final part of this paper relates the issues found in the thesis to my own composition portfolio. The portfolio of compositions comprises three pieces: Round Trips: Three Pieces for Oboe and Cello; Foreboding, for chamber ensemble; and A Reflection Di(still)ed for string quartet. Though these pieces are distinct, they collectively seek to explore ways of integrating programmatic discourse into the work. This is especially true of the largest piece Round Trips which comprises three movements which develop two conflicting strands of conceptual metaphors.

No description available.

<p> This doctoral document and accompanying lecture recital seek to illuminate and bring clarity to <i>aura</i> (2011) for three percussionists and <i>AURA</i> (2015) for four percussionists by Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsd&oacute;ttir. This composition is examined through a thorough musical and formal analysis to show that there is a guiding force to be found behind the sustained drones and complex bell themes of the piece. A performance guide to reduce the composition&rsquo;s logistical and musical challenges is included in the hopes that it will shorten the learning curve for a new ensemble as they learn the piece. It is this author&rsquo;s aim that this resource will make this composition accessible to a wider range of ensembles and thereby bring more exposure to the music of Anna Thorvaldsd&oacute;ttir. </p><p> In addition, biographical information and a survey of the composer&rsquo;s compositional process and style is included to increase the limited amount of scholarly research that currently exists on Dr. Thorvaldsd&oacute;ttir and her works.</p><p>

<p> The aim of this study is to provide insight into the percussion music of Dave Maric through an analysis of a trilogy of pieces with backing track, <i> Trilogy</i> (2000), <i>Sense &amp; Innocence</i> (2002/2014), and <i>Thrice Into Flames</i> (2017). The present study examines Maric&rsquo;s influences, analyzes his compositional style, and provides a performance guide. Brief biographical information is provided to introduce Maric. His compositional style is examined by analyzing tonal language and formal structures. The tonal language of these pieces combines octatonic scales and diatonic scales. In terms of form, Maric uses mathematical sequences to determine proportions between sections, including the Fibonacci sequence. The performance guide includes sticking suggestions, transcriptions of backing track cues, and additional comments.</p><p>

The doctoral composition concerned by this document is a contemporary oratorio of 95 minutes: it involves seven solo singers (two sopranos, a mezzo, two altos, a tenor and a bass), a polyphonic chamber choir (divided in three to sixteen parts) and an electroacoustic quartet of guitars and synthesisers. The title refers to the otherworldly guardians of the Jewish canon (Tanakh) and speculates on the energetic appearance of the Elohim, reflected by the timbral qualities of the electronic instruments. The narrative, built around four angelic characters (Seraphim) and a female earthling counterpart, outlines in seven movements a fictional cosmogony, and the evolution of human society overseen by astral mentors. The libretto has been written on purpose by the composer himself, mostly in Italian: some multi-linguistic fabrics blend poetry with Christian fragments in Greek and Latin.

No description available.

No description available.

DVD contains the musical compositions

<p>Viator, Landon Bachelor of Music, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Fall 2015; Master of Music, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Spring 2017 Major: Music Title of Thesis: Thanatos Thesis Director: Dr. Quincy Hilliard Pages in Thesis: 68; Words in Abstract: 94 Abstract The purpose of this thesis is to provide a theoretical analysis of my composition as well as demonstrate the techniques used to compose and compile electroacoustic music in the digital realm using a DAW software. I have demonstrated how to use MIDI instruments to compose music, how equalization was used to digitally change the timbre of the guitar and drums, how compression was used to control the dynamic range of the drums and add fullness to their sound, and I have demonstrated how to create MIDI notes to be played by the software instruments.

No description available.