The Contour of Developmental Music: Analog of the Plot Diagram

Abstract

In my studies in music, I have always found the programmatic aspect to be powerful. Within my music, I always strive for a programmatic aspect, tying in motifs to stage stories or recall past events. Overall, the driving force of music provides, in many cases, an analog for a plot contour commonly found in stories. In this recital, two pieces stylistically do not lend themselves to plot contours, while the capstone Classical pieces both demonstrate a climax through development, using recurring themes. While music is not necessarily definitive in its programmatic capabilities, the final work is intentionally defined by its narrative. The wordless styles of music carry followable patterns that in essence describe characters. With repetition in music, these abstract “characters” go through syntactic developments akin to a story.