A Creative Application of Traditionalist Aesthetics to the Art of Musical Composition
Files
(Exegesis)
(Track 1)
(Track 2)
(Track 3)
(Track 4)
Date
2018
Authors
Devereux, Thomas Jack
Editors
Advisors
Bodman Rae, J. Charles
Journal Title
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Thesis
Citation
Statement of Responsibility
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Abstract
This submission for the degree of Master of Philosophy at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide, takes the form of a portfolio of creative works (musical compositions) supported by an explanatory exegesis. The Traditionalist School, sometimes also called the perennialist school, was formed by a group of thinkers writing on a number of related topics, including the philosophy of art and aesthetics. The foundational written works of the school were published between 1921 and 1953. The portfolio explores the possibility of developing approaches to the composition of new works in accordance with the doctrinal and aesthetic principles of the Traditionalist School, in particular with the aesthetic philosophy of Frithjof Schuon, one of the founding members of the school. The exegesis explains the origins, central ideas, and aesthetic philosophy of the traditionalist school and proceeds to discuss the ways in which these can be taken as a starting point for developing a compositional approach. This requires a consideration both of general aesthetic concepts, as well as compositional techniques, although the folio focuses more on the former. The completed pieces take these concepts in different directions with each offering a different set of possibilities for further artistic exploration. The following works comprise the creative portfolio: The Lights of Ibrahim for piano trio; Elivagar for string quartet; Road to the Heart: song cycle for baritone and cello; Songs of Sorrow and Light: song cycle for tenor and piano; Salve Regina for SSAATB choir.
School/Discipline
Elder Conservatorium of Music
Dissertation Note
Thesis (M.Phil) -- University of Adelaide, Elder Conservatorium of Music, 2018
Provenance
This electronic version is made publicly available by the University of Adelaide in accordance with its open access policy for student theses. Copyright in this thesis remains with the author. This thesis may incorporate third party material which has been used by the author pursuant to Fair Dealing exceptions. If you are the owner of any included third party copyright material you wish to be removed from this electronic version, please complete the take down form located at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/legals
Description
List of Recordings: Tracks 1-5 The Lights of Ibrahim -- Track 6 Elivagar -- Tracks 7-9 Road to the Heart (Extracts) -- Track 10 Songs of Sorrow and Light (Extracts) -- Track 11 Salve Regina