Recurrence and Sound Material Identity in Acousmatic Composition.

Abstract

This paper introduces the concept of recurrence within acousmatic music, and explores its potential as an approach to both novel composition practices, and the examination of existing musical works. Notions of musical structuring or semblances of formal organisation can often be traced to the perception of recurrent phenomena within a work. The process of recognising returning sound identities and their transformations, drawing links between them, and trying to understand the various interrelationships can be a rewarding aspect of the acousmatic music listening experience. These sound material connections can be made through all manner of perceivable characteristics, including source associations, more subtle spectral attributes, or an evident process of progressive transformation. This paper will explore the concept of recurrence in terms of sound material identity and temporal relationships, and demonstrate its potential application to both compositional thinking and the critical examination of acousmatic works.