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Delphinium_Chace_Williams.pdf (488.95 KB)

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Delphinium

Williams, Chace Tylor
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1604065986419631

Abstract Details

2020, Master of Music (MM), Bowling Green State University, Music Composition.
Delphinium is a twelve-minute work for percussion ensemble and fixed-media electronics commissioned by Robert McCormick and the McCormick Percussion Group. Delphinium is a genus of flowers with about three hundred known species. They grow in ever-changing combinations of colors with height varying from two to six feet. Delphinium focuses on slow- morphing kaleidoscopic textures and timbres growing the way the flowers develop naturally. Adding electronics to the percussion ensemble allows for the exploration of augmented reality in which the percussion instruments are artificially enhanced by the electronics to create a soundscape that creates a seamless relationship between acoustic and electronic elements. The work’s structure is cast in four sections reflecting an ABCA’ form. The first section begins open and sparse, gradually introducing the main melodic and textural content before returning to stasis. This second section features microtonally tuned wine glasses and an antiphonal waterphone duo. The third section enters abruptly and showcases larger and darker instruments such as the bass drum and gong. Delphinium’s final section loosely recapitulates the first section before growing into a final climax. The harmonic content of the composition explores the minor second. The relationship between these notes expands through their harmonic series up to the fifth partial. The resulting set of pitches will be 8-16 (01235789). The minor second’s frequency relationship also produces beating, which is further explored and exploited in the percussion (especially vibraphones) and electronics. Delphinium includes a fixed media part running in Pure Data that is to be triggered by percussionist seven, the conductor, or an audio engineer. The fixed media material is derived primarily from recorded vibraphone and crotale notes, wine glasses, waterphones, and various metallic percussion. The electroacoustic soundscapes augment harmonic beating and enhance instrumental material, including vibrations from electric toothbrush motors placed on the bass drum and gong. In performance, a stereo array of speakers is placed inside the ensemble to further blend acoustic and electroacoustic textures.
Elainie Lillios, Dr. (Advisor)
Mikel Kuehn, Dr. (Committee Member)
26 p.
Composition; Music
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE; ELECTRONIC MUSIC; CONTEMPORARY MUSIC; PURE DATA; FIXED MEDIA

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Williams, C. T. (2020). Delphinium [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1604065986419631

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Williams, Chace. Delphinium. 2020. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1604065986419631.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Williams, Chace. "Delphinium." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1604065986419631

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1604065986419631
88
© 2020, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.