Extrinsic Referentiality as a compositional parameter in acousmatic music

• Grant number: 22/02741-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: November 01, 2022
• End date: July 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Linguistics, Literature and Arts - Arts - Music
• Principal Investigator: Florivaldo Menezes Filho
• Grantee: Gustavo Arima
• Host Institution: Instituto de Artes (IA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research aims to fulfil the need for an analytical method regarding the issue of extrinsic referentiality in acousmatic music, that is, the ability that acousmatic sounds have to reference objects, actions and spaces through spectral similarity, the imitation of behaviours, and spatial simulation. It is posited that the available methods and analytic principles either depart from a purely semantical point of view or are exceedingly generic. Our research will attempt to answer if, and to what extent, can extrinsic referentiality be treated as a compositional parameter, being therefore subject to gradations and compositional strategies that aim to articulate them in time. In this sense, it is necessary to bring up issues regarding music aesthetics, revisiting some historically taken stances concerning referentiality in acousmatic music. Thereafter, an analytical method regarding this specific characteristic will be proposed, although it is understood that dealing solely with matters concerning referentiality will not suffice to the analysis of a given piece of music, however, in a multitude of cases, not treating this aspect impedes a complete analysis of it.