Sculpting sound: metaphor, material and contemporary music

Martin Charles Suckling

Sculpting sound: metaphor, material and contemporary music

Music

Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper

Abstract

Of the many transformations in music since the breakdown of tonality, perhaps one of the most profound has been a shift in governing metaphor from the idea of discourse and narrative to one which prioritises the sculptural possibilities of sound. Such a change in perspective allows a radically different approach to composition, where mass, density and transparency of material alongside the structural use of timbre replace such traditional concepts as melody, harmony and phrase. A brief survey of key works illustrating this ‘sculptural turn’ in music will conclude with a discussion of two recent pieces which respond to the ceramic art of Edmund de Waal: Psalm, for spatialised ensemble of 13 players and The White Road, for flute and orchestra.

Original language	English
Publication status	Unpublished - 8 May 2017
Event	The Edge of Sculpture - University of York, York, United Kingdom Duration: 8 May 2017 → 8 May 2017 https://www.york.ac.uk/history-of-art/news-and-events/events/2017/edgeofsculpture/

Other

Other	The Edge of Sculpture
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	York
Period	8/05/17 → 8/05/17
Internet address	https://www.york.ac.uk/history-of-art/news-and-events/events/2017/edgeofsculpture/

Cite this

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title = "Sculpting sound: metaphor, material and contemporary music",

abstract = "Of the many transformations in music since the breakdown of tonality, perhaps one of the most profound has been a shift in governing metaphor from the idea of discourse and narrative to one which prioritises the sculptural possibilities of sound. Such a change in perspective allows a radically different approach to composition, where mass, density and transparency of material alongside the structural use of timbre replace such traditional concepts as melody, harmony and phrase. A brief survey of key works illustrating this {\textquoteleft}sculptural turn{\textquoteright} in music will conclude with a discussion of two recent pieces which respond to the ceramic art of Edmund de Waal: Psalm, for spatialised ensemble of 13 players and The White Road, for flute and orchestra.",

author = "Suckling, {Martin Charles}",

year = "2017",

month = may,

day = "8",

language = "English",

note = "The Edge of Sculpture ; Conference date: 08-05-2017 Through 08-05-2017",

url = "https://www.york.ac.uk/history-of-art/news-and-events/events/2017/edgeofsculpture/",

}

TY - CONF

T1 - Sculpting sound

T2 - The Edge of Sculpture

AU - Suckling, Martin Charles

PY - 2017/5/8

Y1 - 2017/5/8

N2 - Of the many transformations in music since the breakdown of tonality, perhaps one of the most profound has been a shift in governing metaphor from the idea of discourse and narrative to one which prioritises the sculptural possibilities of sound. Such a change in perspective allows a radically different approach to composition, where mass, density and transparency of material alongside the structural use of timbre replace such traditional concepts as melody, harmony and phrase. A brief survey of key works illustrating this ‘sculptural turn’ in music will conclude with a discussion of two recent pieces which respond to the ceramic art of Edmund de Waal: Psalm, for spatialised ensemble of 13 players and The White Road, for flute and orchestra.

AB - Of the many transformations in music since the breakdown of tonality, perhaps one of the most profound has been a shift in governing metaphor from the idea of discourse and narrative to one which prioritises the sculptural possibilities of sound. Such a change in perspective allows a radically different approach to composition, where mass, density and transparency of material alongside the structural use of timbre replace such traditional concepts as melody, harmony and phrase. A brief survey of key works illustrating this ‘sculptural turn’ in music will conclude with a discussion of two recent pieces which respond to the ceramic art of Edmund de Waal: Psalm, for spatialised ensemble of 13 players and The White Road, for flute and orchestra.

M3 - Paper

Y2 - 8 May 2017 through 8 May 2017

ER -