Grand Variations for large orchestra

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dc.contributor.advisorGottschalk, Arthur W.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberJalbert, Pierre
dc.contributor.committeeMemberLoewen, Peter
dc.contributor.committeeMemberSperandio, Christopher
dc.creatorZajicek, Daniel
dc.date.accessioned2012-09-06T04:20:10Z
dc.date.accessioned2012-09-06T04:20:12Z
dc.date.available2012-09-06T04:20:10Z
dc.date.available2012-09-06T04:20:12Z
dc.date.created2012-05
dc.date.issued2012-09-05
dc.date.submittedMay 2012
dc.date.updated2012-09-06T04:20:12Z
dc.description.abstractGrand Variations is a work for large orchestra built on an original theme and six variations. My primary concerns when composing were communication, continuity, and distortion. To musically communicate an idea repetition is essential, and the type of repetition presented in theme and variations provided what I was looking for. In addition, the fact that the theme will be repeated over and over leads to a built in continuity. The final concern, distortion, may be achieved by pulling away from a more straightforward presentation of the thematic material. Two additional elements played a large role in the work—cyclic forms, and quantum physics. The composition Déserts by Edgard Varese, and the jazz work Nefertiti by Wayne Shorter, both contain strong cyclic features. Nefertiti uses the same melody repeated over and over, while Déserts, on the other hand, repeatedly presents the same musical gestures, and sound objects, but with slight changes to achieve its own cyclic sound world. These two works framed the way that I approached variations, yet are at odds with each other. Through my reading of quantum physics, I found a way to join the two into a working structure, and the book, The Grand Design, by Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow, helped me to do it. Because of this, I decided early on to honor that influence, and the title Grand Variations reflect that.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.citationZajicek, Daniel. "Grand Variations for large orchestra." (2012) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/64666">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/64666</a>.
dc.identifier.slug123456789/ETD-2012-05-131
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/64666
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectTheme
dc.subjectVariations
dc.subjectQuantum
dc.subjectPhysics
dc.subjectOrchestra
dc.subjectRepetition
dc.subjectCommunications
dc.subjectContinuity
dc.subjectComposition
dc.titleGrand Variations for large orchestra
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentMusic
thesis.degree.disciplineMusic
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelDoctoral
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Musical Arts
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