A Creative Exploration of the Compositional Concept of Developing Variation: Portfolio of Compositions and Exegesis

Abstract

This submission for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide, is a personal exploration of Arnold Schoenberg’s concept of ‘developing variation’. It consists of a portfolio of original compositions which have a combined duration of approximately 85 minutes, accompanied by an exegesis. The exegesis gives an overview of the technique in question, and explains how it has been used as the basis for each of the pieces in the portfolio. Part A of the submission contains the portfolio of compositions, consisting of: Soliloquy (for solo flute); Maternal Musings (for female voice and chamber ensemble); String Quartet No. 2 ‘Transfigured Notes’, Sonata for Violin and Piano, and Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra. Part B contains live sound recordings of three of the works and one computer-generated sound file. Part C contains the exegesis, including detailed commentaries on each of the compositions. Whilst some research has been conducted into the historical aspects of developing variation as it applies to past composers, this project aims to provide a fresh look at the technique from a compositional perspective. Each of the original pieces demonstrate a unique, personal approach to the technique, building on the ideas put forth by Schoenberg to create works that are highly economical in their treatment of motivic and thematic material.