Textural and Harmonic Density in Selected Choral Works (1992--2003) by Eric Whitacre

Abstract

This document is an objective analysis of thirteen works composed between 1992 and 2003 by Eric Whitacre (b.1970). The author's experience in performing these choral works led him to believe that the composer's process had produced consistent stylistic traits between each composition. Published scholarly resources on this choral repertoire are non-existent; hence, the author developed his own system of analyzing Whitacre's choral music. Traditional, Roman-numeral analysis of this repertoire is only possible in a few segments throughout these works; a linear analysis was much more elucidating. The author created a system for mapping textural density variation on linear graphs. These graphs, combined with the author's explanation of Whitacre's voice-leading process, provide a clear understanding of Whitacre's compositional process. The author has concluded that in the works studied, Whitacre uses traditional melodies and triadic chord structures; he then creates harmonic and motion by adding or removing tones from the choral texture through specific voice leading techniques.