Research On The Original Vocal Suite "Yijiang Song"

This paper conducts a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the early small orchestral works of Darius Milhaud,a representative composer of 20th-century France.It explores the form of compositions,thematic melodic shapes,textures,tonality,modes,characteristics of rhythmic patterns,and timbre in detail.The study aims to discuss the characteristics of Milhaud’s orchestral composition techniques,the multidimensional development trends,and their significant impact.This study posits that analyzing Milhaud’s early small orchestral works’ composition techniques is of paramount importance for several reasons: it explores the characteristics and concrete manifestations in the structural forms of his compositions,namely the transition from singular to multiple structures.The form structure may be influenced by the layering,splicing,and reorganization of materials,as well as by the control over the mixture of key colors and the switching between various stylistic features.Analyzing the thematic and melodic structure of such works,this study argues the logical relationships within his melodic designs.It focuses on the development patterns of contrapuntal themes unique to his small orchestral works,exhibiting Neoclassical stylistic traits,such as variation development,fixed and non-fixed contrapuntal relationships,cyclical repetition of fixed counterpoints,multi-layered deformation and reorganization of fixed thematic materials,and structural reorganization.The study of pitch organization,thoroughly integrating Milhaud’s tonal theory and referencing his "melodic art" characteristics,adopts a dual perspective of tonality and mode to analyze and summarize the features of thematic and textural forms.Furthermore,it delves into,from both macro and micro perspectives,Milhaud’s use of key color coordination and the organizational methods of homophonic and polyphonic textures within his stylistically diverse works of this period.Through the analysis of four basic rhythmic patterns-"metric rhythm," "compound metric rhythm," "from metric to non-metric rhythm," and "non-metric rhythm"-the study discusses two design forms present in Milhaud’s works during this period: "fixed rhythmic pattern layering" and "variable rhythmic pattern development," along with the connections between rhythm,modality,and tonality.It also examines the orchestration and tonal structures of Milhaud’s early orchestral works and the relationships between different styles.Finally,it discusses the use of polyphonic texture sound design,timbral levels,and timbral rhythms in different stylistic works and the overall development trends.This paper is structured into five parts: an introduction,three main chapters,and a conclusion in Chapter Four.The introduction will present the current state of research on this topic both domestically and internationally,along with an overview of the sections of the paper and case studies.Chapter 1 introduces Darius Milhaud’s era,creative background,and artistic career,including the impact of related stylistic genres.Chapter 2 provides an overview of Milhaud’s early compositions,focusing on his treatise Polytonality and Atonality,and discusses his musical theories in conjunction with his works,deducing his musical aesthetics.Chapter 3,the focal point of the study,comprehensively and systematically analyzes the compositional techniques of Milhaud’s early small orchestral works,focusing on the structure of compositions and materials,as well as compositional techniques.Chapter 4 concludes the paper by summarizing the research across seven aspects: Multiple structural designs,Thematic melodic shapes,Rhythmic patterns,Methods of material development,The application of multidimensional tonal color structures,Textural forms,and Timbral sounds.Darius Milhaud,as a representative composer of the French Les Six in the 20 th century,merits our attention for his works and compositional techniques,warranting a more systematic analysis and study.His pluralistic,multidimensional,inclusive,and independent artistic views are worth learning from and emulating.