Portfolio of Compositions

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Abstract

This composition portfolio comprises nine original compositions: Erebos (solo violin and chamber ensemble, 2014), Sisyphus Syndrome (clarinet in Bb and percussion, 2014), Aether (solo accordion, 2014), Aether II (brass band, 2014), Boreas (s.a.t.b chorus with soprano and tenor soloists, 2014), Eremos (flute choir and percussion, 2014), Helen (solo mezzo-soprano, solo cello, double chorus (s.a.t.b, s.a.t.b), 4 horns in F and timpani, 2015), Aphrodite Anadyomene (clarinet in Bb, violin, cello and piano, 2015) and Teotihuacan (symphony orchestra, 2016). This accompanying commentary discusses compositional concerns explored within the compositions. This includes an approach to creating binary oppositions, which is based upon a combination of Elliott Carters stratification techniques in combination with Lutoslawskis interval partitioning techniques. Additionally, approaches to creating musical drama and structural trajectory are explored. This includes drawing upon the structure of Greek tragedy by using Birtwistles Tragoedia as a starting point, juxtaposing and superimposing binary oppositions and using Stravinskian block structures. I also describe how my instrumental compositions have been influenced by electroacoustic music and describe a method of implementing Thoresens typology to plan and trigger textures and timbral ideas.

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Keyword(s)

Greek tragedy; Thoresen ; composition ; stratification

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