Doctoral thesis defense in composition and sound creation

From acoustics to virtual reality: Development of an idiomatic composition practice for the virtual orchestra

Eliazer Kramer

(B-379, Faculty of Music, University of Montreal)

Abstract

This research-creation project establishes an idiomatic compositional practice for virtual instruments by developing and applying new compositional and virtual orchestration techniques to musical creation. The aim is to propose a change in the typical use of virtual orchestration: while it is generally used to reproduce the sound of an acoustic orchestra in order to enrich a product when used in the context of audiovisual music (film or video game music), here it is developed as an artistic practice in its own right. The theoretical concepts addressed in this thesis inform and facilitate the development of three groups of compositional techniques for virtual instruments: (1) Unplayable music—music that exploits the ability of virtual instruments to exceed human limitations, (2) Techniques specific to virtual instruments—compositional methods derived from the unique properties of virtual instruments, (3) Virtual space design—manipulation of spatial and acoustic elements. New approaches are explored and developed for the musical notation of virtual instruments.

Jury

Chair-rapporteur: Jimmie LeBlanc

Research director: Caroline Traube

Co-director: François-Xavier Dupas

Jury member: Oliver Alary

External examiner: Eliot Britton