Date Available
11-14-2019
Year of Publication
2019
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Music (MM)
College
Fine Arts
Department/School/Program
Music
Advisor
Dr. Joseph Baber
Abstract
The following piece is a three movement, twenty minute orchestral work in a Romantic style whose primary goals are accessibility and beauty. In the process of writing this piece, I learned that strong and memorable melodies are the key to a successful composition - taking influence from Henry Mancini and early Japanese video game composers, this work takes a central melodic theme through a series of variations to demonstrate the power of harmonic and orchestrational recontextualization. Rhythmically, the work utilizes techniques from the Minimalist and Progressive Rock traditions to strike a balance between rhythmic complexity and melodic focus. The three movements are meant to represent three steps towards self-actualization - Explore depicts curiosity and open-mindedness, Engage demonstrates the merits of focusing on one's craft, and Wonder represents the value of feeling awe towards the world even if it is not easy or simple. Ultimately, the work moves through a wide variety of moods and textures throughout its duration while staying focused on the central theme until the end, with the goal of creating a listening experience that is both rich and memorable.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2019.198
Recommended Citation
Turcotte, Tyler, "SYMPHONIC FANTASY: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS" (2019). Theses and Dissertations--Music. 137.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/music_etds/137
Zip file containing scores, mockups, and recordings
