Portfolio of original compositions and exegesis: to fuse or to confront - five compositions for Chinese traditional and western orchestral instruments.

Abstract

This Ph.D. research explores the blending Chinese and western musical idioms. Research questions include: What are the criteria for choosing a new context for confronting the western and Chinese idioms? What is the aesthetic behind this new context in terms of sound quality? What particular compositional techniques are the best in the new context? How can structural coherence be maintained within the chosen aesthetic? The submission consists of a portfolio comprising five compositions for Chinese traditional instruments together with western orchestral instruments and an Exegesis. The five compositions are: Five Studies for Three Instruments, A Character Piece, A Little Suite, Cycles of Destiny and Concerto Grosso for sheng, erhu and pipa. The aim of this portfolio is to explore possibilities for blending Chinese and western musical idioms through the compositional techniques of mosaic progression and juxtaposition. It examines the techniques in terms of the aesthetic standpoint, the confrontation of Chinese and western idioms as well as their application for structural coherence. The portfolio consists of two volumes. Volume One presents the scores of the compositions with each one paginated separately. Volume Two presents the Exegesis which discusses significant technical features of the compositions. Three of the five compositions from the portfolio are recorded on a CD which accompanies this portfolio, namely, Five Studies for Three Instruments, A Little Suite and Cycles of Destiny. This CD should be of assistance in providing a clear impression of the music represented in the portfolio.