Ambrose Seddon - Higher-level relationships in Dhomont's Novars

8. Conclusions

Dhomont’s Novars exhibits a variety of higher-level relationships. From the higher-level perspective, the identity types often remain spectromorphologically consistent, but their changing structural functions and behavioural relationships determine their developing significance, which in turn affects the interpretation of those higher-level relationships. These identities fulfil a plurality of functional roles. Many of the sectional changes in this work are characterised by rupture or shift processes whose dramatic nature helps establish or reinforce new and recurrent territories. While the antecedent and consequent pairs are rarely exactly the same, these recurrent processes of change become a significant feature of the work.

Higher-level relationships often depend upon considerable degrees of spectromorphological correspondence, reinforcing identities over intermediate timescales or making their recurrence clearly apparent over longer periods. The structure of Novars is conveyed through a restricted number of distinct settings, whose contrasts make them striking when they recur. Spatial characteristics (in spectral, perspectival terms and/or source-bonded terms) are embedded within the settings, resulting in a spatially-oriented structure. While the spaces and settings in Novars are not always source-bonded, they retain a sense of contrasting spatiality through varied impressions of spectral space, impressions of causal gesture (with a degree of source-bonded space) and morphological detail. Covert correspondences are significant features, providing the means to expand the established sound worlds through novel identities and new perspectives that are rooted in, but distinct from, the other sound material(s) of the works.

Interpretation of the higher-level relationships in Novars is fundamentally linked with structural function and behavioural relationships. While recurrent identities and settings create structure through spectral and morphological correspondences, notions of change or variation at higher levels relate to how identities recur and what happens as a result of their recurrence, i.e. the circumstances and manner in which they reappear. This strongly influences their perceived significance, with structural function and behavioural relationships articulating the more detailed nature of higher-level relationships. Of course, structural function and behavioural relationships may change, stimulating fresh interpretations, as will also occur when identities recur in new contexts. However, some structural functions are carried by different identities, yet the functions noticeably recur. For example, spatial ruptures, shifts and interruptions play a significant role in articulating sectional change and contrast, the dramatic recurrences making the higher-level relationships particularly apparent. These processes are clearly significant in Novars, contributing to the character of the work, yet they may also be observed in much acousmatic music, and might be considered a unique and defining stylistic feature.


 

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