Composition Portfolio and Accompanying Case Studies

Abstract

The four works in this portfolio reflect an intense year of composition and research. Three of the works are the result of commissions from groups and individuals, and all four received their premiere performances throughout the year. Whilst each piece was conceived separately, on reflection, there are several commonalities in musical language between them. The theme of transformation is one such common thread. This includes the transformations of ideas over the duration of a work, and the resulting change in relationships that occur within an ensemble or between performers. Another common element in these works is the use of a macro structure based on some sort of ‘goal-based’ development. This can be in the form of long-term transformation of pitch, or transformation of energy throughout the piece. In the orchestral piece in the middle, two different musical ideas begin to take on the qualities of each other, slowly transforming until they become the same. In the duo for bass clarinet and bassoon interweave, each performer weaves around the other responding organically as the themes transform. The piano trio time and glue is based on the relationship between two different ideas as described in a poem. And in the final work frames: concerto for alto saxophone and orchestra, the relationship between soloist and orchestra is developed and transformed in several shorter ‘frames’. Focusing on larger ideas and transformations on a macro level during the compositional processes of these pieces allowed the crafting of smaller details to happen more naturally and organically. The three case studies accompanying this portfolio of compositions are three concerti that relate primarily to frames: concerto for saxophone, although there are also many parallels between musical language and techniques used in each of the case studies to the other pieces in the portfolio. Analyzing these works helped to shape the orchestration and some of the textures used in frames.