Composition portfolio for the completion of a Masters of Music

Abstract

Presented in this portfolio are works for a range of instrumental ensembles, from solo to full orchestra. It is possible to see consistent trains of thought unifying the works, as well as divergences into different techniques, as appropriate for each piece. From the outset, one overriding concern I had was to better manage the episodic nature of previous compositions, by focusing on the development of an organic, gestural musical language. This allowed for greater formal complexity and a clearer sense of musical growth. Disconcerted Effervescence grows from a single pitch, while the orchestral piece slowly unfurls towards a dense texture from a very sparse beginning. The trombone solo develops in a similar way but was structured using L-systems - algorithms, designed by biologist Aristid Lindenmayer, that imitate natural growth processes. ...and yet, not and the mind is thoroughly unhinged focus on the development of gesture. In the latter work, chaos and confusion is depicted through dense gestural counterpoint.