Authoring Indeterminacy: A Study into the Collaborative Process of Open-Compositions with a Focus on Themes of Identity and Authorship

Abstract

Authoring Indeterminacy presents an analysis of the author’s portfolio of compositions contextualised by a theoretical discussion on open-compositions. In particular, the thesis investigates issues of identity and authorship that arise when involving performers in the compositional process. Part I: Open-Compositions, organises historical examples of open-compositions according to common strategies used to engage performers in the compositional process. Part II: Open-Compositions and Identity, investigates issues of identity concerning open-compositions and considers their ontological status as musical works: a label which seems to contradict their open-ended, evolving nature. Part III: Invitation for Co-creation: Authorship of Open-Compositions, examines the concept of authorship as it pertains to open-compositions and if performers, as co-creators of works, have any co-authorship claims for their creative contributions. Part IV: My Portfolio: Analytical Notes, presents an analysis of the portfolio of compositions in relation to their identity based on reflective analysis of the recordings and scores