METAMODERN COMPOSITION: IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHENTIC HARMONIC LANGUAGE

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To cite this thesis: Voltz, Alexander. "Metamodern Composition: In Search of an Authentic Harmonic Language." Honours diss., University of Queensland, 2020.
ABSTRACT In this paper I investigate how contemporary art music composers use harmonic language to achieve authentic musical personalities. I believe harmony has an important role to play in the evolution of contemporary art music. Through analysing a portfolio of my compositions, I provide insight into my harmonic techniques and biases. I pioneer “magnetic” harmonic analysis as a tool for composers and musicologists alike. My investigation is informed by historical and contemporary approaches to harmony, and also adheres to the principles of metamodernism. I conclude that my harmonic language is indeed authentic, as opposed to unique. Indeed, I argue that “unique” is a poor descriptor or ambition for anyone’s artistic practise in this metamodern twenty-first century. A. D. K. Voltz October 2020
Alexander is continuing to develop his theories concerning magnetic harmonic analysis.
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