In flux by Tobias Andersson

In this research project, guitarist and improviser Tobias Andersson investigates compositional tools and techniques to create flexible harmonic frameworks for improvisation. In a strive for music that stays in an improvisational state the reseach project also adresses questions on the quality of coherence in the music. The research project investigates how the application of theoretical concepts associated to the 20th century western classical music and post-tonal theory can be useful when composing for improvisation. By taking a close look on the musical material itself, the author starts to compose music where all harmonic and melodic material is derived from a small original set. The results of the investigation is a series of compositions for different ensembles, spanning from solo work, via smaller settings a large ensemble of wind instruments. The compositions are analysed in regard to the initial questions of coherence and harmonic flexibility, sharing insights to how the compositional approach influenced the musical results.

Bibliography

Books

Bailey, Derek. Improvisation, Its nature and practice in music. New York: Da Capo press, 1992.

Hindemith, Paul (1970) The craft of musical composition: Book 1 Theory. Fourth edition. Mainz: Schott, 1970.

O’Gallagher, John. Twelve-tone improvisation. A method for using tone rows in jazz. Mainz: Advance music, 2013/2020.

Persichetti, Vincent. Twentieth century harmony, Creative aspects and practice. New York: W. W Norton Company, 1961.

Strauss, Joseph. Introduction to post-tonal theory. Fourth edition. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2016.

Research catalogue & academic websites

Anderskov, Jacob & Hundahl, Niclas "Sonic Complexion", Rhythmic Music Conservatory Copenhagen, 3 (2022) https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/740085/1299059/0/0 [accessed 12/06/2023]

Anderskov, Jacob "Habitable Exomusics", Rhythmic Music Conservatory Copenhagen, 1 (2020) https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/397815/397816/0/0 [accessed 12/06/2023]

Grydeland, Ivar "Ensemble and Ensemble of Me. What I think about when I think about improvisation." NMH 2015. https://nmh.brage.unit.no/nmh-xmlui/handle/11250/2393210

Zanussi, Per. "Natural Patterns". [Doctoral thesis] http://www.naturalpatterns.no University of Stavanger, 2017.

Academic publications

Nilsson, Per Anders "A Field on Possibilities: Designing and playing digital musical instruments." Phd dissertation, University of Gothenburg 2011.

Stenström, Harald "Free Ensemble Improvisation." Phd dissertation, University of Gothenburg, 2009.

O'Gallagher, John. "Analysing Pitch Structure in Late-Period Recordings of John Coltrane: Interstellar Space and Stellar Regions". Phd diss., Birmingham City University, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Faculty of Arts, Design and Media , 2021.

Musical recordings (CD etc.)

Coltrane, John. Interstellar space [LP] Impulse! New York, 1976 (recorded 1967).

Downes, Kit. Obsidian [CD] ECM Germany, 2018.

Video & Internet sources

Iversson, Ethan [Web article]"Theory and european classical music" https://ethaniverson.com/theory-and-european-classical-music/

Lund, Lage [Video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la5fK2b0RgI

Pilon, Romain [Video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OoVs0tbyX4

Downes, Kit. [Video]Interview (2013, February). Accessed June12, 2023.

[Video] Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nq8fLCyw9k&t=198s

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