Songs of Praise is a setting of four passages from the Psalms for soprano and chamber orchestra. The text is taken from Psalms 96, 114, 55, and 116 of the New American Standard Version, with each psalm scored as a separate movement. The duration of the work is approximately seventeen and one-half minutes. The instrumentation includes soprano, oboe, strings, and a percussion section of four players incorporating fourteen different instruments. The musical language employed is largely tonal, consisting generally of shifting tonal emphases achieved by exploiting the pitch relationships of traditional tonality. The movements are contrasting in character, according to the text, but generally of the same style. The vocal line predominates throughout spanning two octaves and a minor third from an A below middle C to a high C above the treble clef.

The problem is to relate four parameters, thematic development, chord tension, tonality, and rhythm to musical Growth in Karel Husa's Music for Prague 1968. The analytical technique consists of determining a typology and relating that to Growth and is applied in small dimensions to the "Introduction" and in large dimensions to the whole composition. Movement in the composition is goal oriented, and each parameter contributes in different ways, one providing contrast, another continuity, and another variety. Shapes are delineated by cadences characterized by a decrease followed by an increase in Movement. Growth is characterized by Shapes in which Movement starts at a low level, moves to a climax three quarters through, and relaxes for the end of the Shape.

The findings of this study should prove to be a boon to all those who enjoy performing madrigals, for through the cooperation of the leading music publishing houses in this country, a complete authoritative list of fine madrigals has been gathered. Many of these will be new both to the performers and the public.

Thanks to the development of new technology, musical instruments are no more tied to their existing acoustic or technical limitations as almost all parameters can be augmented or modified in real time. An increasing number of composers, performers, and computer programmers have thus become interested in different ways of "supersizing" acoustic instruments in order to open up previously-unheard instrumental sounds. This leads us to the question of what constitutes a super instrument and what challenges does it pose aesthetically and technically? This work explores the effects that super instruments have on the identity of a given solo instrument, on the identity of a composition and on the experience of performing this kind of repertoire. The super instrument comes to be defined as a bundle of more than one instrumental lines that achieve a coherent overall identity when generated in real time. On the basis of my own personal experience of performing the works discussed in this dissertation, super instruments vary a great deal but each has a transformative effect on the identity and performance practice of the pianist. This discussion approaches the topic from the viewpoint of contemporary keyboard music, showcasing examples of super instrument compositions of the 21st century. Thus, the main purposes of this practise based research project is to explore the essence and role of piano or toy piano in a super instrument constellation, as well as the performer's role as a "super instrumentalist". I consider these issues in relation to case studies drawn from my own compositional work and a selection of works composed by Karlheinz Essl and Jeff Brown.

Esta tese se volta para a questão da morfologia em música através de duas atuações complementares em torno da música contemporânea, a composição e a pesquisa teórica. Ambas práticas desenvolvidas de modo complementar. A pesquisa aqui exposta estuda diferentes abordagens sobre a noção de morfologia na música contemporânea, elaboradas por compositores ao longo da segunda metade do século XX. São analisadas proposições voltadas sobre tal temática com o intuito de evidenciar novas aberturas sobre a criação musical e sobre o pensamento composicional, que surgem a partir de perspectivas morfológicas, propostas por compositores sobre o material musical e seus modos de estruturação. A partir do período do pós-guerra a noção de morfologia é incorporada ao repertório da música contemporânea, e dentre compositores que se voltaram sobre tal viés distinguimos duas abordagens distintas, uma que se volta para a morfologia sonora e outra que versa sobre morfologias estruturais. Os compositores selecionados para representar a prática composicional elaborada a partir de uma morfologia sonora são Pierre Schaeffer e Dennis Smalley. Para expor questões relativas à morfologia estrutural são Helmut Lachenmann, Gérard Grisey, Horacio Vaggione e Iannis Xenakis, que se destaca nessa pesquisa, e são analisamos os processos composicionais de fases distintas de Xenakis para evidenciar a forma de atuação de sua concepção morfológica em torno de seus processos composicionais. A atuação composicional desenvolvida paralelamente à pesquisa exposta é apresentada na segunda parte da tese, na qual se evidencia o processo composicional de obras compostas ao longo do período de elaboração dessa tese exposta. / This thesis turns to the question of morphology in music through two complementary interactions around contemporary music, composition and theoretical research. Both practices developed in a complementary way. The present research studies different approaches on the notion of morphology in contemporary music, elaborated by composers throughout the second half of the twentieth century. Proposals on this theme are analyzed in order to highlight new openings about musical creation and compositional thought, which arise from the morphological perspectives proposed by composers on the musical material and its structuring modes. From the postwar period, the notion of morphology is incorporated into the repertoire of contemporary music, and among composers who have turned on such a bias we distinguish two distinct approaches, one that focuses on sound morphology and another on structural morphologies. The composers selected to represent the compositional practice elaborated from a sound morphology are Pierre Schaeffer and Dennis Smalley. In order to expose questions regarding structural morphology we turn to Helmut Lachenmann, Gérard Grisey, Horacio Vaggione and Iannis Xenakis, who is highlighted in this research, and therefore we analyze compositional processes of distinct phases of Xenakis, to show how his morphological conception works around his compositional processes. The compositional practice developed parallel to the exposed research is presented in the second part of the thesis, in which the compositional process of works composed during the period of elaboration of the thesis.

A expressão compor música-como-teatro sintetiza e agrupa minhas contribuições no campo das relações entre composição musical e teatralidade, organizadas em três eixos de prática e autoanálise: 1- a situação de performance musical como espaço cênico; 2- a seleção e organização de materiais como jogo cênico e 3- estrutura e forma como encenação. A noção de compor música-como-teatro é delimitada em diálogo com: afirmativas e obras de compositores como Luciano Berio, Péter Eötvös, Gilberto Mendes, Mauricio Kagel e Georges Aperghis; as categorias teatro musical, teatro instrumental e Teatro Composto, abordadas na bibliografia sobre música de concerto pós-1960; as categorias teatralidade e dramaturgia, como discutidas em escritos de teóricos que abordam as artes cênicas. Em síntese, compositores se movem em direção ao teatro, eles compõem com materiais gestuais e visuais, gerando partituras/roteiros para performances cênico-musicais. A prática de compor música-como-teatro pressupõe a intenção expressiva de incorporar a dimensão estética de teatralidade da performance musical ao âmbito das escolhas composicionais. Avança ao adotar uma aproximação entre composição e dramaturgia: compor consiste em organizar um roteiro de ações com e sem implicação sonora concatenadas musicalmente ‒ ‒ e enquadradas em dispositivos de construção e deslizamento de sentidos narrativos. O portfólio apresenta partituras e registros audiovisuais de três peças: O Espelho (2015-2017), As Gerações dos Mortais Assemelham-se às Folhas das Árvores (2015-2017) e I saw them together ‒ I heard them together (2017) / The expression composing music-as-theater synthesizes and groups my contributions in the field of relations between musical composition and theatricality, organized into three axes of practice and self-analysis: 1- the situation of musical performance as scenic space; 2- the selection and organization of materials as scenic play; and 3- structure and form as staging. The notion of composing music-as-theater is delimited in dialogue with: stances and works of composers like Luciano Berio, Péter Eötvös, Gilberto Mendes, Mauricio Kagel and Georges Aperghis; the categories musical theater, instrumental theater and Composite Theater, addressed in the bibliography on post-1960 concert music; the categories theatricality and dramaturgy, as discussed in the writings of theorists dealing with performing arts. In synthesis, composers move towards theater, they compose with gestual and visual materials, generating scores / scripts for scenic-musical performances. The practice of composing music-as-theater presupposes the expressive intention of incorporating the aesthetic dimension of theatricality of musical performance into the scope of compositional choices. It advances by adopting an approximation between composition and dramaturgy: composing consists in organizing a script of actions with and ‒ without sound implication ‒ musically concatenated and framed in devices of construction and sliding of narrative meanings. The portfolio features scores and audiovisual recordings of three pieces: O Espelho (2015-2017), As Gerações dos Mortais Assemelham-se às Folhas das Árvores (2015-2017) e I saw them together ‒ I heard them together (2017).

Este trabalho consiste de um portfólio de composição documentado com partituras e gravações, e de um memorial que apresenta uma autoanálise do processo de tomada de decisões empreendido na composição da obra Duo para Flauta e Piano. Apoiado na delimitação de autoanálise conceituada por Donin (2015c), e nas definições de Chaves (2010) que explicam a composição musical como um processo de tomada de decisões em três territórios, objetivou-se investigar os traços decisórios contidos no dossiê genético da obra autoanalisada, que incluiu também documentos relativos a outros processos, para identificar decorrências decisórias e aspectos da dinâmica de idas e vindas do processo composicional. O dossiê genético, com seus traços diretos e indiretos, foi autoanalisado a partir de uma metodologia que combina os pressupostos da crítica genética com estudos sobre a atividade cognitiva do compositor durante o processo composicional. Neste sentido, a autoanálise foi realizada a partir da investigação específica do processo de tomada de decisões, em cada um dos seus três territórios: ideológico, estético e pontual. Assim, foi possível constatar aspectos relevantes do estilo decisório individual deste compositor, bem como observar e refletir sobre processos de recomposição e replanejamento, que se referem também a questões gerais envolvendo a composição musical e seus desafios. / This thesis consists of a portfolio of compositions and a self-analysis of the decision-making process in the composition of Duo para Flauta e Piano [Duo for Flute and Piano]. The concept of self-analysis in music composition is taken from Donin (2015c), and the concept of music composition as a decision-making process is based on Chaves (2010). The main goal of the thesis is the investigation of decision-making features as featured by direct and indirect traces. These traces are comprised in the genetic dossier of the Duo. The methodology of the thesis is referential to genetic criticism in its approach to the cognitive activity of the composer during the compositional process. In the course of this thesis, it became possible to verify relevant aspects of individual decision-making processes in the work of this composer, which also refer to broader issues of music composition and its challenges.

This thesis explores both the creative process and the creative product behind a unique and complex collaboration between two composers, called Endings (2012): firstly Jeremy Peyton Jones and secondly Kaffe Matthews. It interrogates the behavioural aspects and negotiations between the two composers in the compositional and rehearsal processes, in the run-up to three performances. Using ethnomusicological methodologies towards data collection (rehearsal recordings, interviews, studio work) and analysis (discourse in compositional discussion, rehearsal), the thesis offers new understandings on collaboration, specifically the fluidity and complexity of the interaction between composers who work in two very different ways: Peyton Jones, who composes with scored, conventional notation, rehearsing with his ensemble Regular Music II; and Matthews, who works improvisationally with live electronics and electroacoustics, both with her surrounding sonic material and pre-existing samples. The thesis finds two core important conclusions, which contribute to our current knowledge and understanding of music and collaboration. Firstly, pre-existing models of collaboration segregate behaviours into ‘types’. Endings offers an example where such types cannot always be applied so exclusively. And secondly, collaboration in the rehearsal of Endings contradicts conventional rehearsal models which state talking should be kept to a minimum. The majority of the collaborative process between Peyton Jones and Matthews rests heavily on conversation.

Esta tese se volta para a questão da morfologia em música através de duas atuações complementares em torno da música contemporânea, a composição e a pesquisa teórica. Ambas práticas desenvolvidas de modo complementar. A pesquisa aqui exposta estuda diferentes abordagens sobre a noção de morfologia na música contemporânea, elaboradas por compositores ao longo da segunda metade do século XX. São analisadas proposições voltadas sobre tal temática com o intuito de evidenciar novas aberturas sobre a criação musical e sobre o pensamento composicional, que surgem a partir de perspectivas morfológicas, propostas por compositores sobre o material musical e seus modos de estruturação. A partir do período do pós-guerra a noção de morfologia é incorporada ao repertório da música contemporânea, e dentre compositores que se voltaram sobre tal viés distinguimos duas abordagens distintas, uma que se volta para a morfologia sonora e outra que versa sobre morfologias estruturais. Os compositores selecionados para representar a prática composicional elaborada a partir de uma morfologia sonora são Pierre Schaeffer e Dennis Smalley. Para expor questões relativas à morfologia estrutural são Helmut Lachenmann, Gérard Grisey, Horacio Vaggione e Iannis Xenakis, que se destaca nessa pesquisa, e são analisamos os processos composicionais de fases distintas de Xenakis para evidenciar a forma de atuação de sua concepção morfológica em torno de seus processos composicionais. A atuação composicional desenvolvida paralelamente à pesquisa exposta é apresentada na segunda parte da tese, na qual se evidencia o processo composicional de obras compostas ao longo do período de elaboração dessa tese exposta. / This thesis turns to the question of morphology in music through two complementary interactions around contemporary music, composition and theoretical research. Both practices developed in a complementary way. The present research studies different approaches on the notion of morphology in contemporary music, elaborated by composers throughout the second half of the twentieth century. Proposals on this theme are analyzed in order to highlight new openings about musical creation and compositional thought, which arise from the morphological perspectives proposed by composers on the musical material and its structuring modes. From the postwar period, the notion of morphology is incorporated into the repertoire of contemporary music, and among composers who have turned on such a bias we distinguish two distinct approaches, one that focuses on sound morphology and another on structural morphologies. The composers selected to represent the compositional practice elaborated from a sound morphology are Pierre Schaeffer and Dennis Smalley. In order to expose questions regarding structural morphology we turn to Helmut Lachenmann, Gérard Grisey, Horacio Vaggione and Iannis Xenakis, who is highlighted in this research, and therefore we analyze compositional processes of distinct phases of Xenakis, to show how his morphological conception works around his compositional processes. The compositional practice developed parallel to the exposed research is presented in the second part of the thesis, in which the compositional process of works composed during the period of elaboration of the thesis.

This thesis explores ways of adopting elements of Calabrian folk music in compositions of contemporary music beyond the mere adoption of melodies and instruments. Through this work, I aim to create a practice for contemporary improvisation and composition that is deeply imbued with elements derived from the music theory, the sonic environment and the performance practices of Calabria. The work described in this dissertation consists of two components: ethnomusicological research and a practice-based enquiry. This research focuses mainly on three aspects of Calabrian folk music: generative principles, the tuning system and processes of bagpipes, and soundscapes created by animal bells. These aspects guided both the ethnomusicological enquiry and the creative exploration. They are first described and analysed in their original context: folk music was studied in the field, amid and within the tradition bearers; research was conducted from a cultural and musicological perspective within the methodological and ethical framework of ethnomusicology. The data emerging from the ethnomusicological investigations informed the creative enquiry carried out through practice-led research. The outcomes of my investigation into Calabrian music became the core principles of my compositions of contemporary music. Generative principles were explored from the perspectives of both composition and improvisation They informed primarily a series of pieces for saxophone solo and a composition for chamber ensemble. The tuning system and processes of Calabrian bagpipes were investigated in compositions centred on pitch and extended harmonic spaces. They informed two compositions for string quartet and a piece for saxophone quartet. Soundscapes informed the composition of a piece of spatial music for goat bells that adopts indeterminacy methods for structuring the performance. The creative work, attached to this thesis as a portfolio of compositions, is analysed through self-reflective methods and in relation to the work of other contemporary music practitioners. My enquiry of the folk sources contributes to the field of ethnomusicology with new insight into Calabrian music. The creative processes and the techniques developed throughout this research also have implications for the broader field of contemporary music, as they offer a perspective on new ways of engaging creatively with folk materials.