Reflections in a Panopticon : a reassessment of the music of Pierre Boulez in comparison with John Cage (1951-52), through analysis of their music and chart material

Abstract

This thesis reassesses works by Pierre Boulez, both individually, and in comparison with John Cage during the peak of their correspondence, 1951-52. Chart material for the works by Pierre Boulez— Structures, Book 1 and Polyphonic X—in the Paul Sacher Stiftimg in Basel, Switzerland, and by John Cage—Concerto for Prepared Piano and Chamber Orchestra and Music of Changes—in the New York Public Library and the Getty Research Institute, California, were examined. Much has been written about the works, but without thorough analysis of the compositional techniques or the score. This thesis reviews the compositional methods used in Structures, Book I and Polyphonie X and assesses the impact of, for example, Ligeti’s analysis, which focuses on Structures la as representing the complete work. Analysis of Cage's two works is carried out in order to compare the compositional methods of the two composers and also to complete the analysis begun by James Pritchett, when Cage source materials were incomplete.