Towards a compositional praxis

Abstract

In order to answer the question of what might constitute a compositional praxis, one must consider several interrelated factors. First, the basis of a Marxist understanding of the relationship between music (or the arts in general) in relation to human society, and what that looks like today. This in turn will lead to our second consideration: the role played by music in society, and how a composer may utilise this. Then we will focus on how we use music to communicate, and how music communicates with people, namely: is it a tool to describe what is familiar? Or is it a tool to challenge them, and therefore raise their consciousness? Then finally we will explore how can music interact with political parties or movements. Is this relationship beneficial, or does it limit the potential of the composer?

With this contextual background, the commentary will then discuss works featured in a portfolio of original compositions, describing their political context and highlighting historic works which were influential in the composition process. The commentary will explore the ways in which the composer created the works and tried to connect them to the political question at hand.

Date of Award	30 Jun 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of St Andrews
Supervisor	Stuart MacRae (Supervisor), Björn Heile (Supervisor) & David Archibald (Supervisor)