Dissertation Index
Author: Solomon, Larry Joseph Title: Symmetry as a Determinant of Musical Composition Institution: West Virginia University Begun: February 1968 Completed: February 1973 Abstract: Symmetry is shown to be the major determining operant in musical composition.Some of the compositional parameters that are demonstrated to be symmetrical operations are: all aspects of serialized composition, all contrapuntal operations (including imitation, canon, rounds, cancrizans, melodic inversion, invertible counterpoint augmentation and diminution, and cantus firmus composition), all musical forms (including all sectional, contrapuntal forms, and arch forms), isorhythm and isomelos, ostinati and passacaglia, mirror chords, planing and fauxbourdon, vibrato, scale formation, invertible counterpoint, meter and pulse, timbre, vibrato, trills and other ornaments, Alberti bass and other accompaniment figurations, antiphony, the circle of fifths, and pitch itself. Definitions, descriptions, and mathematical formulations of the different types of musical symmetry are provided, and each of the major types is explored with examples. Parallels are shown in nature and other art forms. An analytical methodology is developed, and specific works are examined to demonstrate intensive applications of symmetry. These include detailed analyses of Bartok's Music for Srings, Percussion, and Celeste, and Webern's Variations for piano, Op 27. Some new transformations are developed, called the Quadrate transformations, which are 90 degree rotations of a basic set (the author later wrote an article on these, which appeared in Perspectives of New Music, 1973). A chapter is also devoted to the possible psychological effects of musical symmetry. Keywords: symmetry, composition, compositional theory, quadrate, rotation, translation, reflection, arch form TOC: Chapter I: Introduction Chapter II: Definitions and Principles Chapter III: Reflection Chapter IV: Translation and Rotation Chapter V: Analytic Methods Chapter VI: Analysis of Unspecialized Works Chapter VII: Analysis of Works with Intensive Applications Chapter VIII:New Transformations Chapter IX: Some Psychological Considerations Chapter X: Summary Bibliography Contact: E-mail: Solo@AzStarNet.com Address: Center for the Arts, Pima College, Tucson, AZ 85709, USA Phone: 520-884-6973 Fax: 520-884-6975 |