Analysis On Julian Yu’s Orchestration And Composition Techniques

The thesis is targeted at Pictures at an Exhibition, an orchestral works by Julian Yu, a Chinese Australian composer. It will summarize, by systematic and all-around analysis of the works, the signature techniques of Julian in orchestration and composition techniques.In the foreword section, the thesis concises Julian’s career and accomplishments, meanwhile briefs the orchestra version of Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky-a monumental works in the history of both music creation and orchestration, which underlies the follow-up discussion on the initiative and background of Julian Yu in Pictures at the Exhibition. The thesis also makes statement on the mutual-supplement, consequential relation between his ideas and his techniques, thus presents the innovative meaning of the works.The first and second chapters are the body part of the thesis. Chapter One elaborates the orchestration by Julian Yu from instrumentation, timbre and texture, and compares Julian’s version with that of Ravel.Chapter Two deals with the collage of Chinese elements, composition of non-original texture and application of polyphony in the works. In short, it analyzes the composing uniqueness of Julian’s version and the indispensability of such uniqueness in the add-in part. It also makes multi-angle statements of the interdependent relation between orchestration, evolution of pitch and tempo, harmony and counterpoint.In the ending part, the thesis makes conclusion on the analysis made through the text and the view made on such basis. It also clarifies that the research made in the thesis is meant to delve, by case study of Pictures at an Exhibition, into the distinctive genre and techniques presented by Chinese composers under the circumstance of blending Chinese tradition and western music education. The expectation is to provide some possible referential value to the creation in contemporary Chinese music.