Dissertation Index
Author: Garza, Loida R Title: Julián Carrillo and “El Sonido Trece”: A Revolution for the Enrichment, Purification, and Simplification of Music Institution: Indiana University Begun: August 2017 Completed: December 2025 Abstract: In this dissertation, I present an introduction to the compositional output of Julián Carrillo (1875– 1965) and position him as a composer-theorist who unified his entire body of work through his individual musical style and language, El Sonido Trece; accomplished his mission to enrich, simplify, and purify music specifically through his musical works; and effectively practiced and applied his theories into his compositions. I trace five compositional strategies that emerged as commonalities used by Carrillo as a unique fingerprint to create works that have a family resemblance to them. The selected works of focus are representative of his tonal, atonal, and microtonal languages within Carrillo’s orchestral symphonic, chamber and concerted, and art song genres. I use an analytical lens that integrates Carrillo’s own musical theories and beliefs, based on Carrillo as a composer-theorist and violinist who studied music in both México and in Europe, with my personal engagement and interpretive experience with his music. In chapter one, I introduce the five compositional factors that Carrillo repeatedly uses throughout his compositional works and discuss his perspective and application of atonality, his numerical notation, and his Laws of Musical Metamorphosis. These compositional techniques will be discussed in chapters three to five with more in-depth musical examples and analyses that will be categorized by genre. In chapter two, I review past and recent work on Carrillo and the topics that tend to be of focus when he is discussed. In chapter three, I demonstrate the internal connection between Carrillo’s orchestral symphonic works, especially his six symphonies, that ultimately display his heart and fulfill his Sonido Trece mission. In chapter four, I highlight Carrillo’s continual use of the same strategies seen in his symphonic works now used in his concerted and chamber works while also demonstrating their individual internal connection. In chapter five, I exhibit how even in his smaller scale works, such as the art song, Carrillo preserves specific techniques from piece to piece. My dissertation invites further engagement with Carrillo’s compositional works especially, listening, analyzing, and interpreting his works across genres and languages as they are representative of a single composer. Keywords: Julián Carrillo, Latin American art music, tonal, atonal, microtonal, Sonido Trece, Mexico TOC: Introduction Chapter One: Compositional Factors: Techniques and Decisions Chapter Two: Literature Review Chapter Three: Julián Carrillo’s Orchestral Symphonic Works: A Genre Where Carrillo Displays His Heart Chapter Four: Concerted and Chamber Works Chapter Five: The Art Song Conclusion Contact: Lrogarza18@gmail.com |