2016 Theses Doctoral

Composition in Relative Intonation Sadhana (2015) and k. tracing (2015)

Pratt, Ryan Hughes

This dissertation is comprised of a pair of related compositions, Sadhana (2015) for viola and electronics, and k. tracing (2015), a violin concerto, and a thesis that outlines my approach, detailing the influences and derivation of some of the parameters of these works and my compositional process. I offer a clear approach to working in relative intonation, for which I’ve also developed a small device called the “Maya proportional scale tool.” In this essay, I trace the structure and inner-movement of each work with regard to the derivation of its harmony, melody, rhythm and orchestration.The discussion of Sadhana focuses on the derivation of its harmonies and melodic lines from the influence of a string, as well as the conception of the electronics part and the role electronics play in the formation of the composition, whereas the discussion of k. tracing focuses on the coordinating of many independent instrumental parts, and the adaptation of rhythm and orchestration.