A South African Spectral Composer, Andile Khumalo

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the 1970s and 1980s spectral music composition (spectralism) was developed by the Frenchcomposers such as Gérard Grisey and Tristan Murail. The music was formulated with anunderstanding of acoustics and psychoacoustics. Spectral composition was born out of a traditionbased on 'composing sound itself' by composers of the 20th century such as György Ligeti, OlivierMessiaen, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Giacinto Scelsi and Edgard Varése. What separated the spectralcomposers from their 20th century predecessors was the use of new technology, such as spectralanalysis, as well as the use of the listener's perception as a compositional parameter. As acomposer, my interest in spectral music composition and its relationship to South Africaencouraged an investigation into the technique and ideas of spectralism as well as the possibility ofSouth African composers using spectral techniques. Two South African composers claiming to usespectral techniques were located: Andile Khumalo and Miles Warrington. The thesis first givesbackground to the nature of acoustics and psychoacoustics relevant to spectralism. Thereafter thehistorical trend towards spectralism is outlined. In order to understand the intricate nature ofspectral composition, the background to the theories and music of two prominent French spectralcomposers, Gérard Grisey and Tristan Murail, is presented. Khumalo's music is then analysed,showing a strong connection to spectral technique and philosophy. Before concluding, a briefoutlook on Warrington's and my own music is discussed.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University