Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/7636
Title: Form and freedom: the marriage of musical systems and intuition
Authors: Gotham, Nicholas
Advisors: Fox, C
Keywords: Composition;Postminimalism;Improvisation;Schematic preparation;Choral chamber orchestral
Issue Date: 2013
Publisher: Brunel University School of Arts PhD Theses
Abstract: This thesis includes an Introduction, which explains some of the ideas and procedures involved in a series of compositions I produced during the period from October, 2008 through November, 2011, a discussion of the works themselves individually and in roughly the same chronological order in which they were composed, and a summary of Conclusions which may be drawn. Included as an Appendix are texts for reference while listening to the vocal works. Complete scores of the works with representative recordings make up the main body of the thesis, except in the case of the solo piano suite Equilibria, where the score is included but the work remained unrecorded at the time of submission. Ideas discussed include some which unite or distinguish the processes of musical improvisation with/from more methodical modes of composition. Also the theme of musical collaboration is considered in contrast to the notion of the composer who works – or appears to work – in isolation. Research into traditions of music is regarded as important to compositional practice overall. Among the Conclusions is that my own orientation to these ideas places me in the category of post-minimalist composers. Throughout this discussion I have involved commentary from other relevant and important thinkers, critics and composers.
Description: This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.
URI: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/7636
Appears in Collections:Music
Dept of Arts and Humanities Theses

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
13 Nightscapes_4.mp39.93 MBMPEG AudioView/Open
Nightscapes_IV.pdf601.47 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
12 Nightscapes_3.mp36.54 MBMPEG AudioView/Open
Nightscapes_III.pdf245.86 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
11 Nightscapes_2.mp35.81 MBMPEG AudioView/Open
Nightscapes_II.pdf323.51 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
10 Nightscapes_1.mp36.12 MBMPEG AudioView/Open
Nightscapes_I.pdf382.38 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
09 stand, spin, jump.mp39.03 MBMPEG AudioView/Open
Stand, Spin, Jump_legend.pdf56.74 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
Stand, Spin, Jump.pdf139.14 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
equilibria_4.pdf75.45 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
equilibria_3.pdf86.99 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
equilibria_2.pdf114.74 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
equilibria_1.pdf81.55 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
08 Bolero.mp35.63 MBMPEG AudioView/Open
Bolero.pdf739.22 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
07 James In Peril - SimfoNiMo version.mp36.59 MBMPEG AudioView/Open
James In Peril_simfo.pdf593.02 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
06 Zones.mp311.34 MBMPEG AudioView/Open
Zones.pdf742.2 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
05 Truth In Darkness.mp33.89 MBMPEG AudioView/Open
Truth in Darkness.pdf101.51 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
04 Every Day.mp314.36 MBMPEG AudioView/Open
Every Day.pdf722.75 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
03 Strategy.mp316.66 MBMPEG AudioView/Open
Strategy.pdf744.06 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
02 Asleep in a Field.mp313.72 MBMPEG AudioView/Open
Asleep in a Field.pdf321.51 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
01 The Life of Things.mp310.87 MBMPEG AudioView/Open
The Life of Things.pdf263.12 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
FulltextThesis.pdf1.94 MBAdobe PDFView/Open


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