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Beyond pitch-class: an investigation into the analytical bounds of musical set theory in a selection of South African compositions
Thesis (MMus)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613982136729600 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Marlor, Robert Connor |
| author2 | Schonken, Philip Antoni |
| author_browse | Marlor, Robert Connor Schonken, Philip Antoni |
| author_facet | Schonken, Philip Antoni Marlor, Robert Connor |
| author_sort | Marlor, Robert Connor |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MMus)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132650 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:44:46.833Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132650 Beyond pitch-class: an investigation into the analytical bounds of musical set theory in a selection of South African compositions Marlor, Robert Connor Schonken, Philip Antoni Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Music. Set theory -- Music Musical pitch -- Analysis Composition (Music) -- Analysis, appreciation Composers -- South Africa -- Criticism and interpretation Rhythm UCTD Thesis (MMus)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Marlor, R. C. 2025. Beyond pitch-class: An investigation into the analytical bounds of musical set theory in a selection of South African compositions. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/a115aedf-e0d3-47aa-b8bf-dd80fdabd02b ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis examines the limitations of traditional musical set theory by expanding its application beyond pitch-class set analysis. Through an exploration of both pitch-class and duration-class set theory, this study introduces new methodologies that deepen understanding of contemporary South African compositions. The central aim is to investigate how set-theoretical techniques, typically reserved for the atonal repertoire, can be adapted to analyse non-pitch elements such as duration and phrase structures. This study proposes that duration-class set analysis offers a valuable complement to pitch-class analysis, particularly in works where rhythm plays a pivotal role. By expanding the scope of set theory to include temporal elements, this thesis challenges the notion that set theory is confined to the analysis of pitch in atonal music. The research centres on a selection of South African art music, specifically Cycles (2014) by Clare Loveday, (rage) rage against the (2018) by Matthijs van Dijk, and Ravel (2019) by Cara Stacey. The findings of this study suggest that integrating duration-class set theory with pitch-class analysis provides a more holistic understanding of these compositions, revealing previously unnoticed formal and structural connections. By extending the boundaries of set theory to include both pitch and non-pitch elements, this thesis proposes a novel framework for analysing music that transcends atonal traditions, making it applicable to a broader range of musical styles. The conclusion aims to bring together the findings from each analysis and offers reflections on the broader implications for musical set theory. It also discusses the potential for future research, particularly in applying set-theoretical methodologies to phrase structures, timbre, and other musical parameters, thereby expanding the analytical scope of music theory. Ultimately, this thesis aims to contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the relevance and adaptability of set theory in contemporary music analysis, particularly within the context of South African art music. Keywords: Musical set theory, pitch-class analysis, duration-class set theory, South African compositions, atonal music, non-pitch elements, contemporary music analysis, phrase structure, rhythm analysis, analytical techniques in music, formal music structure, qualitative music research, art music, pitch and non-pitch relations, music theory innovation. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek die beperkings van tradisionele musiek-stelteorie deur die toepassing daarvan verder as slegs toonhoogteklas-stelanalise uit te brei. Deur die verkenning van beide toonhoogte-klas- en tydsduurklas-stelteorie, stel hierdie studie nuwe metodologieë voor wat 'n dieper begrip van kontemporêre Suid-Afrikaanse komposisies bevorder. Die sentrale doel is om te ondersoek hoe stelteoretiese tegnieke, wat gewoonlik vir die atonale repertorium voorbehou is, aangepas kan word om buitetoonhoogtelike elemente soos tydsduur en frasestrukture te analiseer. Hierdie studie stel voor dat tydsduurklas-stelteorie ’n waardevolle aanvulling bied op toonhoogteklasanalise, veral in werke waar ritme ’n deurslaggewende rol speel. Deur die omvang van stelteorie uit te brei om tydspesifieke elemente in te sluit, daag hierdie tesis die idee uit dat stelteorie beperk is tot die analise van toonhoogte in atonale musiek. Die navorsing fokus op 'n seleksie van Suid-Afrikaanse kunsmusiek, spesifiek Cycles (2014) deur Clare Loveday, (rage) rage against the (2018) deur Matthijs van Dijk, en Ravel (2019) deur Cara Stacey. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie dui aan dat die integrasie van tydsduurklas-stelteorie met toonhoogteklasanalise 'n meer holistiese begrip van hierdie komposisies bied, wat voorheen ongemerkte formele en strukturele verbindings onthul. Deur die grense van stelteorie uit te brei om beide toonhoogte- en buitetoonhoogtelike elemente in te sluit, stel hierdie tesis ’n nuwe raamwerk voor vir die analise van musiek wat die atonale tradisies oorskry en dit toepaslik maak vir ’n breër verskeidenheid musiekstyle. Die gevolgtrekking sintetiseer die bevindings van elke analise en bied refleksies oor die wyer implikasies vir musiek-stelteorie. Dit bespreek ook die potensiaal vir toekomstige navorsing, spesifiek in die toepassing van stelteoretiese metodologieë op frasestrukture, klankkleur en ander musikale parameters, wat die analitiese omvang van musiekteorie verder uitbrei. Uiteindelik poog hierdie tesis om by te dra tot die voortdurende gesprek oor die relevansie en aanpasbaarheid van stelteorie in kontemporêre musiek analise, veral binne die konteks van Suid-Afrikaanse kunsmusiek. Sleutelwoorde: Musikale stelteorie, toonhoogteklas-analise, tydsduurklas-stelteorie, Suid-Afrikaanse komposisies, atonale musiek, buitetoonhoogtelike elemente, kontemporêre musiekanalise, frasestruktuur, ritmeanalise, analitiese tegnieke in musiek, formele musikale struktuur, kwalitatiewe musieknavorsing, kunsmusiek, toonhoogte en buitetoonhoogtelike verhoudings, innovasie in musiekteorie. Masters 2025-06-12T09:29:25Z 2025-06-12T09:29:25Z 2025-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132650 Stellenbosch University xv, 291 pages : music application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Set theory -- Music Musical pitch -- Analysis Composition (Music) -- Analysis, appreciation Composers -- South Africa -- Criticism and interpretation Rhythm UCTD Marlor, Robert Connor Beyond pitch-class: an investigation into the analytical bounds of musical set theory in a selection of South African compositions |
| title | Beyond pitch-class: an investigation into the analytical bounds of musical set theory in a selection of South African compositions |
| title_full | Beyond pitch-class: an investigation into the analytical bounds of musical set theory in a selection of South African compositions |
| title_fullStr | Beyond pitch-class: an investigation into the analytical bounds of musical set theory in a selection of South African compositions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond pitch-class: an investigation into the analytical bounds of musical set theory in a selection of South African compositions |
| title_short | Beyond pitch-class: an investigation into the analytical bounds of musical set theory in a selection of South African compositions |
| title_sort | beyond pitch class an investigation into the analytical bounds of musical set theory in a selection of south african compositions |
| topic | Set theory -- Music Musical pitch -- Analysis Composition (Music) -- Analysis, appreciation Composers -- South Africa -- Criticism and interpretation Rhythm UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132650 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marlorrobertconnor beyondpitchclassaninvestigationintotheanalyticalboundsofmusicalsettheoryinaselectionofsouthafricancompositions |