Abstract
This Doctor of Musical arts in Composition has a focus on the use of synthesisers in the context of art music. It comprises a portfolio of compositions that use a synthesiser or synthesisers, usually alongside acoustic instruments, in an art music setting. While synthesisers have been used in this way by other composers, they are still not as widely used in art music as they are in popular styles of music. Although the boundaries between art and popular music are becoming increasingly blurred there is still a distinct performing tradition and canon of work that is associated with art music. As a composer I situate my work within this tradition and incorporate the synthesiser as part of my sound-world. The choice of synthesiser as a focus was informed by early memories of listening to various kinds of music from the 1980s. As a result, most of the pieces have nostalgic themes, as well as “hybrid” styles that combine art music with other types of music. Aspects of composing for synthesiser and associated themes that emerge are explored in the exegesis, which both provides context for the creative projects and reflects on them. The research questions posed at the start of the DMA were:
1. What have been the various roles of the synthesiser in art music?
2. How are the various roles of the synthesiser present in my own compositions?
3. Are there new roles for the synthesiser in my compositions?
While composing the pieces in this DMA a number of roles for the synthesiser emerged, some planned and others unplanned. These roles include evoking other styles of music, and exploring themes such as nature vs technology, nostalgia, and the cosmos. It is my aim that this combination of roles and themes help to create unique and interesting compositions.