Texture and density in orchestral music of Penderecki, Ruzicka and Haas: contributions to a structured taxonomy

This project aims to establish a structured taxonomy of musical gestures and textures, more specifically geared towards 20th and 21st century orchestral music, where textural aspects are particularly prominent. Although there are classification systems, such as those proposed by Schaeffer/Thoresen and Smalley, which categorise sound phenomena in the context of concrete and electroacoustic music, there are significant gaps in the classification of textures and gestures in instrumental music, more specifically in orchestral music. The main aim of this study is to fill this gap, with a special focus on the orchestral music of three contemporary composers: Krzysztof Penderecki, Peter Ruzicka and Georg Friedrich Haas.

As part of this project, digital music analysis tools are also being developed in the Python programming language, which will make it possible to: assess the specific density of the various orchestral instruments, considering the various dynamic levels and registers; establish comparisons between gestures and/or textures, in terms of their density, from a dual vertical (synchronous) and/or horizontal (chronological) perspective.

Finally, the project proposes an innovative listening notation, derived from the numerical data processed by the software developed and based exclusively on the scores. In contrast to existing programmes (e.g. Acousmographe, Eanalyses, Ianalyse, TIAALS), this notation will be distinguished by its flexibility, its flexibility and its flexibility.