Wilshere, Brian. 2007. Brian Wilshere: The Drummer as Composer. Doctoral thesis, Goldsmiths, University of London [Thesis]

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Abstract or Description

This thesis consists of a portfolio of compositions with the addition of 5 CD's, commentaries on selected compositions and additional written material placing submitted work in context.

It is that context which supplies the title of the thesis. It is my contention that a composers' work is affected by the culture surrounding them, and that that culture contains a number of musical and social factors which impinge upon a composers' interaction with the world. In my case, I seek to show how a combination of my formative experiences and somewhat unusual musical background have influenced my work and contributed to its unique qualities.

Firstly, I outline the aesthetic principles underpinning my music. My journey through the world of music and music education has given me the ability to forge my own aesthetic and compositional path, and this thesis reflects upon this process in some detail in order to illuminate those aspects of my own musical practice which I believe may serve to contribute to the debates currently surrounding music. In doing this, I attempt to both redefine musical categorizations according to consumer behaviour rather than musicological opinion and argue for definitions which are as culturally neutral as possible.

I then describe in detail the compositional procedures utilized in my work, and reflect upon the extent to which these are governed by my formative experiences. Finally, the more large scale submitted pieces have accompanying commentaries, highlighting aspects of musical practice or background which may be relevant.

'Brian Wilshere: The Drummer as Composer' is a summation of several years in the life of a drummer/composer attempting to earn a living, write some music and obtain performances of that music.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Departments, Centres and Research Units:	Music
Date:	31 January 2007
Item ID:	6599
Date Deposited:	17 Feb 2012 12:21
Last Modified:	06 Sep 2022 22:04
URI:	https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/6599

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