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Fear of Entropy, for Orchestra

In this essay, I discuss the structure of my orchestral work Fear of Entropy (2005). Through phrase analysis, I establish the form of the work and address the distinctions between disparate sections, as well as address the function of repetition within the piece. By analyzing the harmonic and contrapuntal structures of individual sections I reveal pitch-based commonalities and distinctions between these sections and account for these factors according to form and texture. This analysis also yields normative patterns internal to the work (such as anticipated harmonic goals). I discuss how and why these norms are progressively subverted. By analyzing texture, I define the most obvious structural divisions of the piece. Through textural analysis, I also identify progressive alterations to texture, timbre, and pitch that increasingly serve to obscure the foundational harmony. I discuss how these processes eventually subordinate pitch to other elements such as timbre.
By detailing my compositional process through these methods of analysis, I demonstrate my disposition and innate tendencies. In the course of this study, I also identify sonorities that intuitively appeal to me. In addition, I uncover a subconscious proclivity on my part towards pitch-based unification of texturally distinct materials within a large work.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:PITT/oai:PITTETD:etd-04192006-121338
Date27 June 2006
CreatorsOgburn, James Joseph
ContributorsDr. Amy WIlliams, Dr. Eric Moe, Dr. Matthew Rosenblum
PublisherUniversity of Pittsburgh
Source SetsUniversity of Pittsburgh
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
Sourcehttp://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-04192006-121338/
Rightsunrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University of Pittsburgh or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report.

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