Back and Forth: Four pieces for various instrumentation involving the study of creative processes as a method for composing
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Date
2022-09-19
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Abstract
This thesis aims to explore the ways in which the study of another composer’s creative process
can stimulate, influence, and provide knowledge to one’s own creative process. As a response to this
proposition, I composed four original works; these are: Abstractions to Mr. Sch.² (for orchestra,
2018-2021), Miniatures to Ms. A. (for piano trio, 2019), acrostic (to alcides l.) (for flute and percussion,
2020), and pieces with amplified thoughts (for piano and sound files, 2021). Each composition was
created after the study of another composers’ creative process(es) of selected work(s) through their
respective working documents. The selected composers and works are the following: R. Murray Schafer
(1933-2021), Seventh String Quartet (1998), Violet Archer (1913-2000), Concerto for Violin and
Orchestra , first movement (1959), alcides lanza (1929-), plectros IV (1974-I) , son glosas, claro…
(1991-I) , ontem (1999-I) , and Norma Beecroft (1934-), Cantorum Vitae (1981), Amplified String Quartet
with Tape (1992). Due to its nature, this research draws from theories and models that involve both the study of the
creative process a posteriori and in real-time. Thus, the working documents of the selected works are
approached by: 1) understanding the chains of operations that unveil the singular musical logic of the
creative process (Donin); 2) investigating the network of relations behind the compositional operations
(Sallis); 3) accounting for the sonic reality of the documents, therefore producing audio files of excerpts
whenever necessary (Chaves). The double role of researcher-composer is supported by other studies that
follow the same or similar endeavour (Leroux; Reynolds; Roels). Considering the creative process as a collection of activities instead of a progressive linear single-activity endeavour (Zembylas), and also considering the knowledge that can emerge from this study, I looked into each set of working documents critically, as a composer. From each studied creative process I selected one important agential aspect after which I composed each of my own works.
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Keywords
music composition, creative process, sketch studies, genetic criticism, music sketches
Citation
Pecktor de Oliveira, L. C. (2022). Back and forth: four pieces for various instrumentation involving the study of creative processes as a method for composing (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.