Portfolio of compositions containing Symphony No. 104, From The Eumenides, Lost Words, String Quartet No. 2, String Quartet No. 3, 12 Miniatures, Non-Stable Equilibrium and a commentary on the compositions

Portfolio Contents: Symphony No. 104 - for orchestra From The Eumenides - for mezzo soprano and cello Lost Words - for large ensemble and singers String Quartet No. 2 - for string quartet String Quartet No. 3 - for string quartet 12 Miniatures - for amplified classical guitar Non-Stable Equilibrium - for violin and piano Commentary The portfolio of compositions contains seven pieces for a variety of vocal and instrumental and forces. Symphony No. 104, From The Eumenides, Lost Words, String Quartet No. 2 and 12 Miniatures are cycles of miniatures, while String Quartet No. 3 and Non-Stable Equilibrium are throughcomposed. The latter two pieces were also conceived in brief musical sections. Each individual miniature or section is typified by focus on a single musical idea and their sequence was determined with the aim of contrasting and complementing different musical characters and styles. As a rule, the musical material was instinctively conceived and the music intuitively written. In the compositional process, particular attention was paid to clarity of form and musical expression. It is the composer’s desire that each section or movement be perceived as a coherent unit with an individual musical identity. The commentary for the portfolio is divided into two parts. The first explores the theoretical framework behind the music. A number of different issues are addressed, the most prominent of which are the miniature format, the concept of experiential form and the notions of intuition and musical style. The second part of the commentary presents the individual compositions in a chronological order with a particular focus on compositional process, structure and form.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

PhD

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Durham University

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Egan, Eric Skytterholm