Assignment Two Feedback

Last week I received my tutor feedback for Assignment Two. I particular looking forward to reading this, as I had found this assignment a huge challenge, and wanted to see the outcome of my efforts. I was pleased to see that the overall impression was very positive. The points raised for improvement were what I expected, such as the use of twelve-tone techniques in more modern times. I had found it particularly difficult to find details online about modern use of twelve-tone, and as such my essay was quite sparse in this area.

My tutor offered a valuable insight into the use of successive notes in a tone-row that imply tonality. In my essay I had written that following strict twelve-tone procedure, notes that would imply tonality should not be grouped together, e.g. C-E-G (major triad). Although this is true to an extent, my tutor pointed out that the music in a tone-row is affected by other factors such as rhythm, and the effect of the three 'diatonic' pitches on the other nine pitches.

My tutor enjoyed reading my responses to my chosen serial pieces. He noted that he was surprised I found no 'colour' in Boulez's Structures I, stating that the lack of constraints to harmony do not apply, thus giving an opportunity for more colour than tonal music. I think my point here was misunderstood, due to my choice of wording; I was trying to say that I found some other serial music more 'listenable' because there was an interesting array of instrumental timbres, which is lacking in compositions for one instrument type.

I have been given indication where my essay would benefit from greater detail, particularly on Berg and Webern's use of serialism. I have now realised that I can expand on this topic considerably, as their methods were markedly different. This also leads into further research on who else composed using serial techniques, and how they took this forward into later decades. Even with only a little further investigation so far, I can already see that this will be an interesting, if complex thread in the story of serialism.

Again, I found the assignment feedback very insightful, and it gives excellent pointers on what to improve on for Part Three, as well as lots of suggested listening to bolster my knowledge of serial music.

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