Commentary on the portfolio of compositions

Abstract

The portfolio contains fourteen compositions with varying instrumentation, ranging from string quartet to laptop orchestra. Of the fourteen compositions, seven are acoustic, six are electroacoustic and one piece is for theatre. All works, except One to N, have been performed and recorded, with many receiving subsequent performances. One to N is the largest work in the portfolio, with a duration of approximately thirty minutes, whilst the other thirteen range from three to ten minutes in duration. The commentary provides an in depth discussion on each composition and how each piece encompasses the composer’s use of form, humour and theatricality. The acoustic works in the portfolio are: Forget and Remember; Friction; Resound; Dopamine; Moments; Tripping and Now. The electroacoustic works are: Place; Music as Sound, Sound as Music; Gliché; Two Point Oh; The Alphabet Song and One to N. The theatrical piece, Big Scary Numbers, demonstrates the composer’s compositional voice without the use of music, incorporating form, humour and theatricality.