Word painting and balance in choral ensembles

Abstract

The question of how a composer manages to maintain musical interest and musical brilliance in an extended piece of music (for any collection of instruments) has fascinated me for quite some time now. To be able to not only research, but put into to practice the concepts and lessons acquired has been an opportunity that I could not miss. Furthermore, to get assistance, guidance, feedback, and a grade on the above will, without a moment’s doubt, prove of incalculable value to my life moving forward as a composer. Thus, was the thinking behind the birth of this dissertation. The aim of this dissertation has been to provide an overview of early, and contemporary, vocal composing techniques, ranging from those dating back to the common practice period of earlier composers, to the more recent decades of contemporary composers (that is, ‘conventional techniques’ and ‘avant-garde techniques’). My research would source and expand on the concepts crucial to all music; word painting, musical interest, and musical balance. In order to answer the burning question within, I have focused the research to primarily larger and longer works. Well written choral music has touched my heart more than any other manifestation of the art, and therefore, had to be the medium by which I have pursued my research questions. This dissertation consists of six chapters; with the first outlining my research findings, and the subsequent five commenting on the compositional work which I have created in attempt to expand on those findings. The Composition following the Literary Review and Commentary, has been a task like I would have never imagined. With that, it has also been a source of gratitude these past many months like scarcely anything else. The composition consists of a work of five movements, each telling a different part of the Biblical Story of Job. Each section expands on different composing techniques in attempt to portray the different aspects of the assigned story. Some of these composing techniques feature in my literary findings, and some do not. Regardless, they have all proved irrevocably valuable.