Browsing by Author "Van Tiddens, Harm Roche"
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- ItemA South African Spectral Composer, Andile Khumalo(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12) Van Tiddens, Harm Roche; Roosenschoon, Hans; Stellenbosch University. Dept. of Music.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the 1970s and 1980s spectral music composition (spectralism) was developed by the French composers such as Gérard Grisey and Tristan Murail. The music was formulated with an understanding of acoustics and psychoacoustics. Spectral composition was born out of a tradition based on ‘composing sound itself’ by composers of the 20th century such as György Ligeti, Olivier Messiaen, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Giacinto Scelsi and Edgard Varése. What separated the spectral composers from their 20th century predecessors was the use of new technology, such as spectral analysis, as well as the use of the listener’s perception as a compositional parameter. As a composer, my interest in spectral music composition and its relationship to South Africa encouraged an investigation into the technique and ideas of spectralism as well as the possibility of South African composers using spectral techniques. Two South African composers claiming to use spectral techniques were located: Andile Khumalo and Miles Warrington. The thesis first gives background to the nature of acoustics and psychoacoustics relevant to spectralism. Thereafter the historical trend towards spectralism is outlined. In order to understand the intricate nature of spectral composition, the background to the theories and music of two prominent French spectral composers, Gérard Grisey and Tristan Murail, is presented. Khumalo’s music is then analysed, showing a strong connection to spectral technique and philosophy. Before concluding, a brief outlook on Warrington’s and my own music is discussed.