Dissertation Index



Author: Lin, Wei-Chieh

Title: In Search of Time: Musical Time and Form in Dérive 2 by Pierre Boulez

Institution: The Juilliard School

Begun: January 2012

Completed: May 2012

Abstract:

Dérive 2 (1988-2011) for 11 instruments by Pierre Boulez is based on the concept and properties of periodicity. Aspects of pitch, rhythm, duration, harmonic rhythm, phrasing, instrumentation, dynamic, tempo, and large-scale formal structure are all derived from an architectural design of the underlying multi-layered periodicity. This document will focus on two important aspects in Dérive 2: Musical Time and Formal Structure. The first chapter discusses Boulez’s conception of musical time in general, and more specifically
traces some of the conceptual developments and practices with regard to rhythmic construction, smooth and striated time, meter, grace-note, tempo, and periodicity from the earlier works up to and including Dérive 2. The second chapter addresses Boulez’s approach to form and the idea of trajectory of large-scale organization in the previous works, and in relation to Dérive 2. The third and last chapter examines Dérive 2 in detail, and in addition traces the compositional development and the revisions of the work from its initial conception in 1988 to its latest modification in 2011. An appendix is provided
with a list of performances of Dérive 2.

Keywords: Musical Time, Boulez, Carter, Ligeti, Periodicity, Form, Long-Range Polyrhythm, Revision.

TOC:

CONTENTS
ABSTRACT iii
AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOTE iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v
LIST OF FIGURES AND MUSIC EXAMPLES vii

PROLOGUE 1

CHAPTER I. MUSICAL TIME
1.1. Rhythmic and Temporal Conception in Boulez’s Early Works 11
1.2. Smooth Time and Striated Time 16
1.3. Tempo 23
1.4. Periodicity 39

CHAPTER II. FORMAL STRUCTURE
2.1. Formal Organization in Boulez’s Early Works 68

CHAPTER III. DÉRIVE 2
3.1. Pitch Construction in Dérive 2 74
3.2. Periodicity in Dérive 2 122
3.3. Formal Structural in Dérive 2 166
3.4. Revisions in Dérive 2 196

EPILOGUE 232

Appendix A. Periodicity Chart 238
Appendix B. Performance History of Dérive 2 250

BIBLIOGRAPHY 254

Contact:

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