Understanding the Percussion Works of Alejandro Viñao: an Analysis and Performer’S Guide of Water for Percussion Ensemble
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University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--Music Music 2016 UNDERSTANDING THE PERCUSSION WORKS OF ALEJANDRO VIÑAO: AN ANALYSIS AND PERFORMER’S GUIDE OF WATER FOR PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE Christopher L. Butler University of Kentucky, [email protected] Digital Object Identifier: http://dx.doi.org/10.13023/ETD.2016.174 Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Butler, Christopher L., "UNDERSTANDING THE PERCUSSION WORKS OF ALEJANDRO VIÑAO: AN ANALYSIS AND PERFORMER’S GUIDE OF WATER FOR PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE" (2016). Theses and Dissertations--Music. 58. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/music_etds/58 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Music at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations--Music by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STUDENT AGREEMENT: I represent that my thesis or dissertation and abstract are my original work. Proper attribution has been given to all outside sources. I understand that I am solely responsible for obtaining any needed copyright permissions. I have obtained needed written permission statement(s) from the owner(s) of each third-party copyrighted matter to be included in my work, allowing electronic distribution (if such use is not permitted by the fair use doctrine) which will be submitted to UKnowledge as Additional File. I hereby grant to The University of Kentucky and its agents the irrevocable, non-exclusive, and royalty-free license to archive and make accessible my work in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I agree that the document mentioned above may be made available immediately for worldwide access unless an embargo applies. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of my work. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of my work. I understand that I am free to register the copyright to my work. REVIEW, APPROVAL AND ACCEPTANCE The document mentioned above has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor, on behalf of the advisory committee, and by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), on behalf of the program; we verify that this is the final, approved version of the student’s thesis including all changes required by the advisory committee. The undersigned agree to abide by the statements above. Christopher L. Butler, Student James Campbell, Major Professor Dr. David Sogin, Director of Graduate Studies UNDERSTANDING THE PERCUSSION WORKS OF ALEJANDRO VIÑAO: AN ANALYSIS AND PERFORMER’S GUIDE OF WATER FOR PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE DISSERTATION A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Music in the College of Fine Arts at the University of Kentucky By Christopher Butler Lexington, Kentucky Director: Prof. James Campbell, Professor of Percussion Lexington, Kentucky 2016 Copyright © Christopher Lee Butler 2016 ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION UNDERSTANDING THE PERCUSSION WORKS OF ALEJANDRO VIÑAO: AN ANALYSIS AND PERFORMER’S GUIDE OF WATER FOR PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE The music of Alejandro Viñao is driven primarily by rhythm rather than traditional classical music components such as melody, harmony, and formal structures. As such, this focus on rhythm showcases the innovation of multiple time, defined as the musical simulation of various meters and tempi. Pioneered by Conlon Nancarrow, this rhythmic innovation is identified within Water (2013). The purpose of this dissertation is to provide insight and analysis of the specific musical characteristics of Viñao’s compositional style. These characteristics include the use of rhythmic grooves, attractors, echo effect, tenuto markings, Euclidean rhythms, and water imagery. Once this analysis has been completed, this dissertation then highlights the necessary practicalities of performance by discussing aspects such as conducting, rehearsal preparation, setup configuration, mallet considerations, and the technical aspects of performing bongos and congas. KEYWORDS: Viñao, Multiple Time, Nancarrow, Water, Groove, Attractors Christopher Lee Butler ______________________________________________________________________________________ Student’s Signature May 5, 2016 ______________________________________________________________________________________ Date UNDERSTANDING THE PERCUSSION WORKS OF ALEJANDRO VIÑAO: AN ANALYSIS AND PERFORMER’S GUIDE OF WATER FOR PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE By Christopher Lee Butler James B. Campbell ______________________________________________________________________________________ Director of Dissertation David W. Sogin ______________________________________________________________________________________ Director of Graduate Studies April 17, 2016 ______________________________________________________________________________________ Date ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would have never been able to complete this dissertation without the support of my family, encouragement from my friends, and guidance through my committee members. It takes a special mother to raise a percussionist. I am lucky to have an incredible mother, Jennifer Butler, who supported my passion for music at every step of the way. Without her, I truly would not have been able to realize my musical dreams. This dissertation is also dedicated to my father, Michael Butler, who passed away in 2002. He taught me everything there is to know about responsibility and work ethic. Thank you to my amazing wife, Jessica Butler, who supported me as I worked to complete my DMA while also carrying our baby. I’m so incredibly lucky to have you in my life. I owe a great deal of gratitude to my committee chair and teacher, James Campbell, for his constant support and mentorship. Thank you to all of my incredible teachers over the years including Dr. Paul Vaillancourt, William Moersch, Ricardo Flores, and John David. Copyright © Christopher Lee Butler 2016 iii TABLE OF CONTENTS PART ONE Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview.................................................................................. 2 Chapter 2: Composer Biography .......................................................................................... 4 Chapter 3: Multiple Time and the Influence of Nancarrow .................................................. 9 Chapter 4: An Overview of Water ........................................................................................ 16 Chapter 5: Edge of Tide (Filo de Marea) .............................................................................. 18 Chapter 6: Through the wild Rain (a traves de la lluvia salvaje) ......................................... 30 Chapter 7: Todos los rios El rio (All the rivers The river) .................................................... 41 Chapter 8: Water – A Performance Guide ............................................................................ 48 Conducting Water .................................................................................................... 48 Rehearsal Suggestions ............................................................................................. 50 Instrumentation and Setup ....................................................................................... 52 Mallet Considerations .............................................................................................. 58 Tenuto Markings – Technical Considerations ......................................................... 60 The Use of Congas and Bongos within Water ......................................................... 63 Chapter 9: Conclusion........................................................................................................... 69 PART TWO DMA Recital Program Notes ................................................................................................ 74 Appendix A: Email Correspondence with Alejandro Viñao................................................. 86 Bibliography ......................................................................................................................... 95 Curriculum Vitae .................................................................................................................. 97 iv LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Percussion Works of Viñao ................................................................................... 6 Figure 2: Henry Cowell’s New Musical Resources .............................................................. 10 Figure 3: Polyrhythms in Static Multiple Time .................................................................... 12 Figure 4: Static Metrical Displacement in Steve Reich’s Clapping Music ........................... 13 Figure 5: Static Grouping Displacement ............................................................................... 13 Figure 6: Dynamic Multiple Time in Khan Variations ......................................................... 14 Figure 7: mm. 1-3 ................................................................................................................. 19 Figure 8a: m. 1 ...................................................................................................................... 21 Figure 8b: m. 20 .................................................................................................................... 21 Figure 8c: mm. 29-30 ............................................................................................................ 21 Figure