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Alter-Soni-Cation

Tramte, Daniel A.

Abstract Details

2010, Master of Music (MM), Bowling Green State University, Music Composition.
Alter-Soni-Cation, a ten-minute work scored for mixed chamber ensemble (flute, clarinet, percussion, piano, violin and cello), consists of musical conversations between six instruments. In this work, a set of specific musical characters are continually mapped onto the work’s instrumentation and differ in three main categories: pitch material, texture and rhythm. These characters are treated as disparate sound worlds, which usually conflict with one another. Using this strategy, tension builds throughout the piece until reaching a grand climax when all instrumentalists finally agree on sharing the same sound world. The pitch material for this work is divided into two contrasting harmonic worlds: A) that which is generated through set theory and B) that which is derived from extended functional harmony. The material from harmonic world A is generated from pitch class sets 3-2[013] and 4-19[0148]. These are elaborated through various set-theoretic and mathematical methods, such as serial techniques, Ulam’s prime number spiral and 33-note pitch cycles. Harmonic world B utilizes tertian harmonies with clear pitch centers such as D-flat and A-flat in order to mimic classical key structures. Alter-Soni-Cation is comprised of three sections. The entire first section is structured as a large accelerando utilizing harmonic world B. The transition into the second section is met by a breakdown in rhythm, texture and harmony, utilizing harmonic world A. Throughout this section, the contrasting musical characters are showcased and developed. The final section features a grand climax and all instruments in agreement as they culminate on a unison A-flat 5. The remainder of the section revisits the harmonic material from the opening of the work.
Mikel Kuehn, PhD (Advisor)
Elainie Lillios, DMA (Committee Member)
27 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Tramte, D. A. (2010). Alter-Soni-Cation [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1272646252

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Tramte, Daniel. Alter-Soni-Cation. 2010. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1272646252.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Tramte, Daniel. "Alter-Soni-Cation." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1272646252

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)