Shards Broken and Reconstructed: A Composition Portfolio

Abstract

This dissertation presents a selection of ten pieces created over the past seven years. These include scores to musical compositions, description of improvisation and technology based projects, and documentation in the form of audio, photography and video recording. Part I is dedicated to the Charasim series, including: Charasim II: in situ, Charasim III and IV: 4Q321, Charasim V: mirrors only exist to show something of which I was previously unaware, and Charasim VI: stratigraphy. Part II includes three compositions for small ensembles each with its unique setting: strait pursuit, strainer, and disposition: truncate, dispose. Part III is dedicated to improvisation based and installation work, and includes: ÆO trio, with pedals, Friendly Foe, and “concerto”. Each of the works presented explores various issues pertaining to subject, material and artifact as they interact within a musical setting. Preceding the portfolio is a short writing called Thinking Interpretation: Improvisation, Composition, Archaeology which is meant to bind the collection of works philosophically.