Portfolio of Compositions: Composing Music through Minimal Means

Abstract

This portfolio of compositions is comprised of eight works written between 2014 and 2018. The accompanying commentary addresses how particular pieces of visual art, along with links to architecture and geological forms, are used as a creative stimulus to devise the compositions presented in the portfolio.

On the surface, the artworks discussed appear elementary and embrace economy in their construction, which has a direct influence on how my compositions have been conceived. Inevitably, in taking an economical approach to devise new works, Minimalist attributes in both visual art and music are primarily acknowledged; however, rather than extending any one of the dominant strands of these Minimalist traditions, the music in this portfolio seeks to return to these forms of art and contemplate them afresh in order to respond in new ways.

As a result, my core research question focuses on how to create engaging music with maximum effect through minimal means. This question also raises a subset of concerns in regard to repetition, ritual, teleology, temporality and memory; all of which are addressed via the introduction and four subsequent chapters. These topics form the framework of discussion in the commentary and the portfolio compositions are referred to where their features highlight and challenge these concerns.

Metadata

Supervisors:	Martin, Suckling
Keywords:	Composition, Music, Minimal, Means, Minimalism, Economy, Visual Art, Sculpture, Teleology, Memory, Repetition
Awarding institution:	University of York
Academic Units:	The University of York > School of Arts and Creative Technologies (York)
Academic unit:	Music
Identification Number/EthosID:	uk.bl.ethos.772944
Depositing User:	DR James Williamson
Date Deposited:	25 Apr 2019 13:09
Last Modified:	21 Apr 2020 09:53
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID):	oai:etheses.whiterose.ac.uk:23323

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: PhD Commentary.pdf

Description: PhD Portfolio Commentary

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Memory Stack I-X.pdf

Description: Memory Stack I-X, for violin, cello and piano

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Staten Crossing I-VIII.pdf

Description: Staten Crossing I-VIII, for saxophone quartet

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: String Quartet No.1, Erratic.pdf

Description: String Quartet No.1, Erractic

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Fault-Klang.pdf

Description: Fault-Klang, for solo bass clarinet

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Twenty Mirrors I.pdf

Description: Twenty Mirrors I, for two pianos and Indian elephant bells

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Twenty Mirrors II.pdf

Description: Twenty Mirrors II, for two pianos and electronics

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Lone Yellow final score.pdf

Description: Lone Yellow, for bass clarinet and piano

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Happy are they who dwell in your house.pdf

Description: Happy are they who dwell in your house, for symphony orchestra, soprano and tenor

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Memory Stack I-X Mov I.mp3

Description: Memory Stack I-X (Mov.I)

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Memory Stack I-X, Mov II.mp3

Description: Memory Stack I-X (Mov.II)

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Memory Stack I-X, Mov III.mp3

Description: Memory Stack I-X (Mov.III)

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Memory Stack I-X, Mov IV.mp3

Description: Memory Stack I-X (Mov.IV)

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Memory Stack I-X, Mov V.mp3

Description: Memory Stack I-X (Mov.V)

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Memory Stack I-X, Mov VI.mp3

Description: Memory Stack I-X (Mov.VI)

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Memory Stack I-X, Mov VII.mp3

Description: Memory Stack I-X (Mov.VII)

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Memory Stack I-X, Mov VIII.mp3

Description: Memory Stack I-X (Mov.VIII)

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Memory Stack I-X, Mov IX.mp3

Description: Memory Stack I-X (Mov.IX)

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Memory Stack I-X, Mov X.mp3

Description: Memory Stack I-X (Mov.X)

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Staten Crossing I-VIII.mp3

Description: Staten Crossing I-VIII

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: String Quartet No.1, Erratic, Movement I.mp3

Description: String Quartet No.1, Erratic (Mov.I)

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: String Quartet No.1, Erratic Movement II.mp3

Description: String Quartet No.1, Erratic (Mov.II)

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: String Quartet No.1, Erratic, Movement III.mp3

Description: String Quartet No.1, Erratic (Mov.III)

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: James Williamson - Fault-Klang.mp4

Description: Fault-Klang

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Twenty Mirrors I.mp3

Description: Twenty Mirrors I

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Twenty Mirrors II.mp3

Description: Twenty Mirrors II

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Lone Yellow #13.6.17.mp3

Description: Lone Yellow

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Examined Thesis (PDF)

Filename: Happy are they who dwell in your house.mp3

Description: Happy are they who dwell in your house

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Portfolio of Compositions: Composing Music through Minimal Means

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