Zenakis's Markov Chain Composition Technique Research And Analysis Of Works

This thesis focuses on the research of Markov chain composition theory and methods of Iannis Xenakis and the analysis of his three works,and in-depth analysis of Xenakis' creative ideas,and also discusses the relation between probability theory of Markov chain and music..Xenakis,as an engineer,architect,philosopher,thinker,a musician,he has combined art and science together.The idea of his mathematical principle of Markov chain composition theory and technical elements assume sounds as a grain(or particle),with a feature of pitch frequency,intensity range and density characteristic.Mainly,he has constructed an musical material composed of a certain number of sound particles which are called as "sound grain screen" and"texture screen",and he has used the Markov chain containing the "Equilibrium stage(E stage)"and "Perturbation stage(P stage)" to control the macro structure and micro structure of music works.In the design of macrostructure,the form of E stage and P stage depends on the algorithm of Markov Chain Matrix.The construction process of microstructure is carried out by a detailed calculation by using the principle of Markov chain:the transformation probability through the eight "sound grain screens" or the eight "texture screens" are deterrmined by the probability of sound grain screen and evolution of their sequence.In this thesis,analysis of the work of Xenakis' Markov chain composition will be presented by three perspectives:analysis of Analogique A focuses on the algorithm of the Markov chain operation process to determine the screen transformation and evolution and E stage and P stage;analysis of Analogique B focuses on the synthetize of sound grain;the analysis of Syrmos focuses on the analysis of texture feature,construction of the architectural form and glissando mode.This thesis studies Xenakis composition method of sound in order to seek music from the mathematical logic principle.The studies of Xenakis build a bridge between science and art.His pursuit of composition was to regard music as a self-form and an organism that is integrated by the internal logic structure.At the same time,he has controlled some factors,and he has formalized a music cont:aining mathematics and wisdom.He has an important position in the history of music due to his unique exploration in composition technique and music creation.