Fantasia for Piano & Orchestra: A Composition Using Japanese Influences

Summary

This project is a composition for piano and orchestra, using influences from traditional Japanese music. The purpose of the project is to explore ways in which the Eastern music theories could be combined with a Western-style composition for a large ensemble, and in the process, this author hopes to further their skills of composition and orchestration. The Japanese influences are largely pitch and rhythm based, while the harmony and structural theories mainly follow Western concepts. The piano is used as a solo instrument, adding virtuosic interest, as well as giving the capability to imitate the playing styles of the Japanese koto (zither).

The composition process started with research into traditional Japanese music, which led to a series of piano sketches that were subsequently orchestrated. After continuous revision, the score was sequenced to create a MIDI mock-up. The finished piece achieves an effective integration of the Japanese and Western compositional strategies, primarily through the of use of orchestral textures and harmony that enhances the Japanese influences with a level of colour and depth that is not found in the traditional genres. Through study of other scores, listening to various compositions and research for this project, this author has become more proficient at writing music, especially in the areas of orchestration and notation. The score is presented to a professional standard, and the MIDI mock-up successfully provides a realistic representation of the music.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Dr. Liz Lane for her support throughout every aspect of the project. Thanks to Dr. Adrian Hull for his creative input and guidance on the scope and aims of the project. Thanks also to the other students, whose thoughts have helped to refine the composition.