Output details

Lumina : [for cello and piano]

Originality: Lumina is primarily an authentic musical expression with a poetic origin. However, its scholastic originality lies in the techniques used to render the score and control its highly animated fluid surface textures and movements. Attack group theory was conceived by Joseph Schillinger in the 1930s and published in 1946. In composing Lumina I have taken Schillinger’s theoretical ideas and shown how they can contribute to the creation a sophisticated musical discourse.

Significance: Even though important composers such as Gershwin and Cage studied and made use of Schillinger techniques it has been impossible to ascribe ex post facto the role of attack group theory tin their work. Existing music is frequently too complex and contains numerous artistic anomalies, which obscure analysis and prevent scholars from ascribing definite technical procedures. Even if the composer is available for interview he or she may well have forgotten the process of creation in any specific work. Beyond any artistic impact, Lumina is of pedagogical significance because it can be understood analytically through accompanying texts which describe its forms of construction and specifically the role of attack group theory in its composition.

Rigour: Lumina is both an art product, a vehicle for academic research and a pedagogical tool. It amplifies an important technical approach and serves as a vivd and concrete example available to all students of musical composition.