2017 Theses Doctoral

Salience and Musical Form: On the Composition of 'Objets À Réaction Poétique' for Large Chamber Ensemble

Clift, Paul David

This dissertation comprises an examination of the author’s compositional processes in general, and a discussion of the practical application of these principles in the composition of Objets à réaction poétique (2015-16) for nineteen musicians. Most notably, this composition and accompanying dissertation seek to substantiate the author’s hypotheses that structural- coherence may be achieved through a process attempting to assess the degree of salience of musical materials, and based upon these assessments, to ‘optimise’ associated durations & temporal-placements of materials. The various means by which salience may be achieved & quantified are examined in detail, as is the process through which an appropriate setting for the disposition of salient events is created.