Le Rythme de la Vie
Date of Award
2006
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Humanities
First Advisor
Miles, Stephen
Keywords
Music, Jazz Composition, Adorno, Theodor
Area of Concentration
Music
Abstract
Theodor Adorno is perhaps best known for his social and political philosophy, but he was also one of the most important philosophers of music in the 20th century and an unflagging proponent and critic of modern music. In his essay �Vers une musique informelle� (1961) Adorno develops the concept of �informal music.� In opposition to compositional techniques that tend to pre-determine musical forms with mathematical or chance procedures, informal music is guided and challenged by the idea of unrestricted freedom. Most significantly, this involves music�s emancipation from both traditional forms and codified techniques. Whether directly or indirectly confronted by Adorno's philosphy of music his ideas are still relevant for contemporary composers, despite the fact that his concept of informal music is now over forty years old. My composition, Le rythme de la vie, is a response to the concept of informal music as presented in 'Vers une musique informelle.' Although Le rythme de la vie is not a diect attempt to implement Adorno's ideas, the concept of informal music has exerted a powerful influence on my compositional practice. The accompanying essay first attempts to explain Adorno's informational music on its own terms before turning to the relationship that pertains between this bit of his philosophy and my composition; my analysis of Le rythme de la vie concludes the essay. Thus, this project explores the pros and cons of Adorno's ideas within the context of a new composition that blurs the boundries between composition, improvisation, freedom, and form.
Recommended Citation
Briggs, Taylor, "Le Rythme de la Vie" (2006). Theses & ETDs. 3617.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3617
Rights
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