Reflections on Composition and Consciousness
Michael Askill · The University of Queensland · 2015
This thesis explores the personal, technical, philosophical and worldview perspectives that relate to my recent compositions in an attempt to establish a convincing raison d'etre and context for my work as it moves into territory that seems, for me, new and strange. The folio of compositions covers a wide range of approaches and styles and an equally wide range of critical perspectives are explored and presented. In order to validate the central role of gongs and singing bowls in many of my recent compositions, I present the findings of my detailed research and explorations into their special resonant and harmonic characteristics. The extensive possibilities of the computer and modern sound technologies are also presented as they relate to my different compositional approaches and techniques. A critical commentary of my compositions is presented in two parts, both delving into a folio of pieces composed between 2011-14. While technical challenges and philosophical aspects are explored in both parts, the emphasis in the first part is on a body of work that is personal and reflective. The second part demonstrates the challenges of recent collaborative projects and the way in which my personal vision has been incorporated, expressed and amplified. I have treated my compositional practice as a field of endeavour without any preconceived theory. It has been in the course of reflection and analysis that significant concepts have been uncovered and these are discussed in detail, often in the light of ideas gathered from different artistic disciplines and practitioners.