A Personal Exploration of Musical Polystylism: A Creative Portfolio of Compositions and Exegesis

This submission for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide, consists of a creative portfolio of original compositions supported by an exegesis. The project involves the creation of new musical compositions which demonstrate methods and techniques of polystylism. The intention of this project is to reconcile a personal, compositional identity despite compositions which appropriate and juxtapose several highly contrasting and often incongruous musical styles together. The significance of this research will be the creative and compositional exploration of polystylism, rather than a purely analytical one. In addition, it will introduce new works in the repertoire that continue this tradition of musical polystylism for mediums such as double sinfonietta and chamber opera. Analysis and synthesis of works which use techniques of stylistic allusion and quotation, with particular emphasis on the oeuvres of Luciano Berio, Charles Ives, George Rochberg, Alfred Schnittke, and Bernd Alois Zimmermann, will also be conducted to ascertain their differing approaches to crafting compositions which demonstrate these methods. These composers have been chosen because of their innovative contributions to the creative technique. Comparisons to corresponding approaches in the visual arts, such as collage, and in film, such as montage, will also be considered. The examples contained in this study include explorations in the genres of opera, orchestral, and chamber music. The five musical compositions that have been created for the portfolio include the following: Archipelago for double sinfonietta, Rubik’s Cube for small orchestra, Sandcastles for wind ensemble, Anhedonia for string quartet in seven movements, and Ciclotimia, a psycho-dramatic chamber opera in one act and nine scenes for soprano accompanied by chamber ensemble. These compositions are included as scores in Part A, and as recordings in Part B.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Elder Conservatorium of Music, 202