A multidisciplinary compositional approach for clarinet and saxophone

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation, together with the composition portfolio, is to investigate the use of multidisciplinary approaches for clarinet and alto saxophone. Each composition explores a different combination of the use of multimedia such as projections, illumination through psychological colour theory as well as music technology in conjunction with the development of various compositional techniques such as modes, serialism, and extended techniques for the respective instruments. Multidiscipline can be defined as the integration of knowledge from the various disciplines that address a complex problem or question. Through various techniques of sound recording and sound manipulation, the sounds are integrated to create a soundscape. Furthermore, this portfolio aims to bridge the gap between the performer and the compositional process of the composer, where at various instances the performer is given a chance to take various decisions that affect the performance of the composition. The solo piece is entitled Midnight Meditations, for clarinet, electronics, and multimedia projection. This work investigates the use of various extended techniques such as hand pops, lip buzzing alongside other microtonal applications such as quarter tones and multiphonics in combination with various electronic effects such as the use of a delay pedal, reverberation, and performing using a chorus effect. In addition, this work gives the performer an opportunity to become an important part of the composition, where in the second movement, for instance, the performer is at liberty to perform the frames in any desired order. The second work is the chamber work A Covid Soliloquy, which explores the use of spatial sound in conjunction with electronics. First-hand experience as an educator during the pandemic offered me an insight into portraying the various experiences that I went through during this period, especially with the loss of my grandfather, Louis. As a work it offered a challenge in the creation of granulated sound through various methods of granular synthesis in combination with the exploration of joining different sounds through the use of tonality in conjunction with serialism. This work further explores the extended techniques for the B-flat clarinet as well as finds a way through which a soundscape can be created keeping in mind the performer setup. Subsequently, the work Moods explores the combination of illumination with the clarinet and saxophone choir and marimba. This work investigates the colour theory of both composers Messiaen and Scriabin through their different accounts of synaesthesia by combining various elements from their theories. The former outlined colour associations through various chords on the dominant as well as his modes of limited transposition, whilst the latter outlined his vision through his monumental work Prometheus. This work is subdivided into five movements that explore five different moods and the colours associated with these moods. The composition of this work offered a challenge in trying to create different soundscapes in conjunction with illumination and various tonal combinations. The final work is the orchestral work Festa, which is a duet for clarinet in B-flat, alto saxophone, and orchestra. This work is subdivided into four movements, where each movement explores a different element from the traditional Maltese festa. The harmonic framework for this work is derived from a synthetic scale that was created solely for this movement inspired from the modes of limited transposition by Messiaen. As a work it was the most challenging due to the various couplings of instruments to create a soundscape in combination with the projections from various feast elements. The first movement is the prelude which serves as an opening to the work, exploring various sound combinations as well as off-stage performing. The second movement is entitled Preghiera and explores the religious element of the feast through the combination of tonality and serialism. Fireworks is the third movement, exploring the various fireworks displays around the island with a funeral march at the centre of the movement, which acts as a stark reminder of the tragedies that have occurred due to firework accidents. The final movement is entitled Alla Marcia and makes use of various quotations from popular marches around the island, exploring a combination of the various modes employed throughout the work. There are two sections in this dissertation. The first section is the commentary, which is made up of a general introduction, followed by an introduction, literature review, and analysis of each piece in the portfolio. The second section is made up of the portfolio, divided into the four works described above. The portfolio and the necessary research carried out for the writing of this portfolio was completed in the context of a Master of Music dissertation.