Musical Methods of Communicating Biblical Narrative and Themes

The thesis is intended to contribute to the research and contemporary understanding pertaining to musical methods of communicating biblical narrative and themes. Three new musical works were produced, the scores of which are to be consulted alongside the reading of the thesis. In each case a new work arose from an initial study and analysis of the biblical themes and texts in focus, from which overall themes were then established. In seeking to communicate these established themes, a number of compositional questions arose, which required satisfactory solutions. Research was thus subsequently undertaken into existing, relevant works (scores and recordings), and other related materials, and compositional decisions, both small and great, were influenced, modified and/or directed accordingly. This research, documented within the thesis, serves to position itself within the context of current contributions to the field. Original thought and compositional invention arising from a response to these existing contributions are also documented within the thesis, and demonstrate the contribution of the thesis itself to the field of research.