An introduction to Iannis Xenakis's stochastic music, four algorithmic analyses

grantor: University of TorontoThis study, an introduction to the theoretical and practical aspects of stochastic music, focuses on three of Iannis Xenakis's early works: an excerpt for 46 strings, measures 52 to 59 from 'Pithoprakta' (1955-56); 'Achorripsis' for 21 musicians (1956-57); and 'Analogique A' for 9 strings (1958). These are the pieces which Xenakis submits as fundamental examples of stochastic music in the opening chapters of his seminal text, 'Formalized Music'. The prime objective of the study is to furnish, through analysis, a basic orientation to the term "stochastic music." In order to clarify the discussion and the analytical procedures, each of the analyses is substantiated by an algorithm which sets forth, step by step, a reworking of the compositional process. This methodology seeks to demystify the complex mathematics and demonstrates, with the aid of working models, how Xenakis implemented probability theory to forge works of art.Ph.D