A single-movement work for full orchestra, Dark Matter presents its thematic material in a traditional manner, drawing especially on the conventions of sonata form. Moments of this thematic presentation, however, are either interrupted or extended using orchestrational techniques and thickening of harmonies inspired by “spectral” music.
The Introduction of the piece is comprised mainly of these interruptions and extensions, with two different harmonic structures competing for dominance. The first structure is based on the natural harmonic overtone series, with each partial rounded to the nearest quarter-tone, and first appears in m. 3. The second structure is based on an inversion of the intervals that make up the partials of the natural harmonic series (also rounded to the neared quarter-tone), and first appears in mm. 8-9.
The first half of the piece is dominated by the inverted version of the series. The first theme (m. 41) unfolds in a traditional manner, with the inverted harmonic structure integrated into extensions, interruptions, and even the bassline (m. 54). The second theme (m. 84), at a slower tempo, also serves as a transition to the climax of the piece (m. 106). This eventually leads to the breaking-through and return of the natural harmonic structure (m. 122, beat 3), and an extended period of exploration of this harmonic structure (mm. 122-172) – until the recapitulation (m. 173).
The recapitulation features more appearances of the natural harmonic structure, most notably in the bassline as it begins. The inverted harmonic structure does return and push to another climax. This climax, however, is ultimately overtaken by the fundamental of the natural harmonic structure’s “break-through” from m. 122: “C” natural. It is this note that ends the piece, in unison.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:TORONTO/oai:tspace.library.utoronto.ca:1807/65752 |
| Date | 01 September 2014 |
| Creators | Stewart, Eric |
| Contributors | Kulesha, Gary |
| Source Sets | University of Toronto |
| Language | en_ca |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, Musical Score |
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