| dc.description.abstract | My thesis is a composition for orchestra, a little over nine minutes in length, that presents and develops three themes in an arch form. The title, “The Empyrean Mosaic,” is meant to invoke imagery of the heavens, stars, and sky as well as other beautiful aspects of nature that fit together like pieces of a puzzle all declaring God’s glory. Each unique theme organically transitions and develops over time. Following a brief introduction, which includes motivic material used later in the third theme, the first theme enters in an energetic fashion. This lively section relies on various rhythmic and melodic motives resembling the imagery of jagged pieces in a mosaic. Furthermore, both the harmony and melody are comprised of stacked fifths. The music then transitions to a brief but powerful statement of the second, more pastoral theme, before arriving at the slower and ethereal third theme. After the development and majestic expansion of this last theme, the second theme returns. It enters in a similar manner to when it was first stated before evolving into a fugue-like passage and then a light-hearted dance. At the close of the dance, the retransition brings back all three themes. Finally, a coda concludes the piece with elements from both the first and last themes. | |
