Shapes and notes: transforming images into musical structures

Favali, Federico (2019). Shapes and notes: transforming images into musical structures. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

The relation between colours and sounds has been investigated by a number of composers and theorists throughout the history of music and especially during the last century. I have always been fascinated by this idea. Since I was young, I have tried to find diverse ways to ‘draw’ shapes and images through notes and to consider how they may be coloured. In this technical commentary, first of all I will focus my attention on how some European composers (from different countries) have interpreted the relation of shapes and colours to sounds. Then I will examine the compositions in my portfolio explaining how I worked on this relation that has been the central point on which I focused my attention during my doctoral studies. In particular I will explain how I have transformed images from painting and poetry, in my music (for example in Time, Old Age and Beauty and Quando passai di qui era di notte), as well as from other more ‘extreme’ concepts, to do with the cosmos (for example in Hypothetical Spaces and Kosmogonia). In so doing, I will also look in detail at the relationships between pitch and colour, rhythm and colour, and form and colour.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):