A Practice-Based Study into the Composition and Performance of Polytemporal Music

This practice-based research explores the composition and performance of polytemporal music, culminating in ten new works in audio/visual format with accompanying commentaries and notation. Research is undertaken into concepts of rhythm and pulse in order to develop new techniques for composing music in multiple simultaneous tempi, particularly methods for managing rhythmic consonance and dissonance in the compositional process. Attention is also given to the practicalities and implications of performance, investigating issues of accessibility and ensemble in reference to the use of click tracks and headphones, as well as the form and function of notation.

The approaches within this research stem from my experience as a commercial rock/studio musician fused with contemporary classical influences. As well as these musical influences, a background in visual art and design also contributes to the visual presentation of works and scores; musical works are presented in video format which is shown to enhance temporal perception, and a new form of rhythmically accurate western notation for polytemporal music is developed.

Composing and performing in a strictly polytemporal setting has at the time of writing not been widely researched, and it is hoped this work displays new knowledge and approaches important for the development of composition in this area.