A RHYTHMIC ANALYSIS OF MICHAEL TORKE: THREE COLORS AND PRIMARY, SECONDARY, TERTIARY: AN ORIGINAL WORK FOR SYMPHONIC BAND

<p>This thesis analyzes three early Michael Torke “color” pieces, <em>Ecstatic Orange</em>, <em>Bright Blue Music, </em>and <em>The Yellow Pages</em>. This analysis provides insight into the compositional process of his early works, which continues to define his style today. Torke’s techniques include rhythmic motives and their variations, rhythmic canon, sectioning as the basis of form, and stratification. This thesis also provides an analytical notational device when defining a Rhythmic Canon Sequence or a Rhythmic Entrance Series. Through this analysis I demonstrate that all three pieces share these compositional techniques but are displayed in three very different pieces. I also explore the phenomenon of the golden section in each of the three pieces and describe the formal and aesthetic significance of the moments in all three pieces. In addition to this analysis, this thesis includes an original piece for symphonic band based upon the findings of my research, entitled <em>Primary, Secondary, Tertiary</em>. The title comes from different types of colors and is a tribute to Torke’s color titles. The analysis of my own work parallels the criteria applied to the Torke works.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Music

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

School of Music

Year dc:date.available

2021

Author dc:creator

• Fast, Aaron

Contributors dc:contributor

• Stephen Lias
• Courtney Carney
• Samantha Inman

• Michael Torke
• rhythmic motive
• rhythmic canon
• Rhythmic Canon Sequence
• Rhythmic Entrance Sequence
• Composition
• Music Theory

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/376

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1394