This thesis sets out to investigate new notation symbols, systems, and string techniques in some one
hundred 20th century string quartets, selected from a variety of composers. The analysis includes
compositions that have, through contemporary aesthetic ideals, extended musical and technical
resources and stimulated the development of compositional methods in such a way as to influence
later works in the genre.
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The thesis divided into two parts : Histoiy and Research
Part One is a brief history of 20th century music, and includes the development o f the string quartet
from earliest times up to the mid-century. Part Two researches string techniques and notation from
the turn of the century up to 1990.
The historical perspective demonstrates that after World War n, with the emergence o f the electronic
age and a changing social and intellectual climate, traditional concepts were being challenged.
Composers facing the dilemma affecting music in general, and the string quartet in particular, had
to adapt to radically developing techniques and styles. Sounds and syntax o f a different type were
initially, but unsuccessfully, sought to unify the divergent thinking o f the time. Ultimately, the
developmental paths took shape from the problem itself and different approaches emerged to master
the multi-faceted dimensions available to composers.
Part Two investigates music syntax from the viewpoint of recording new symbols, notation systems
and string techniques. Quartets of the first half of the century show that both the dissolution and the
extension o f traditional processes were contained, importantly, within the continued use of
conventional notation. The impact and significance of these quartets within the context of 20th
century development cannot be ignored. However, the quartets researched post-1960 demonstrate that
composers have enlarged all parameters of the genre through the extension of traditional resources
and by radical innovation.
This research demonstrates that the emergence of new symbols and string techniques in the second
half of the century has been largely on an arbitrary basis. Nevertheless^ broad classification of these
elements is undertaken. / Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology / D.Mus. (Musicology)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/16959 |
| Date | 06 1900 |
| Creators | Holdcroft, Z. T. ( Zillah Theresa) |
| Contributors | Reid, D. J. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 2 volumes (748 leaves) : illustrations |
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