Dissertation
Path to the third pole: for sinfonietta
University of Iowa
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
Autumn 2023
DOI: 10.25820/etd.006913
Abstract
“Path to the Third Pole” is a musical composition that harmonizes the spiritual essence of Tibetan Buddhism with Western classical music’s aesthetic sensibilities. This twenty-two-minute piece for a sinfonietta ensemble delves into the acoustic and spiritual realms of Tibetan cultural practices, including chanting, ritual purification, and sky burial. The work juxtaposes the organic flow of the golden ratio, as exemplified in the third movement, with the mathematical precision of prime numbers structuring the second movement. This interplay of Eastern and Western philosophical concepts is further enriched by a personal narrative of intercultural exploration and a deepening connection with Tibetan spirituality. The composition stands as a testament to the transformative power of music, bridging cultural divides and inviting listeners into a contemplative space of cultural convergence and spiritual introspection.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Path to the third pole: for sinfonietta
- Creators
- Hongwei Cai
- Contributors
- David Karl Gompper (Advisor)Jean-François Charles (Committee Member)Nathan Platte (Committee Member)Gregory Hand (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Music
- Date degree season
- Autumn 2023
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.006913
- Number of pages
- xxiv, 84 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2023 Hongwei Cai
- Language
- English
- Date submitted
- 11/21/2023
- Description illustrations
- illustrations (some color), music
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 84).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
”Path to the Third Pole” offers a musical journey into the heart of Tibetan Buddhism, articulated through the lens of Western classical music. This twenty-two-minute composition introduces listeners to the sacred rituals of Tibet, interweaving the spiritual and the acoustic. The piece thoughtfully blends Eastern philosophy with Western structural design, employing the golden ratio in the third movement to reflect natural harmony and prime numbers in the second movement to dictate progression and duration. Beyond its structural ingenuity, the composition is a narrative of personal exploration and connection with Tibetan culture and spirituality. It serves as a bridge between diverse worlds, inviting an experience of introspection and understanding across cultural divides, and echoing the universal language of music as a medium for transcultural dialogue and spiritual reflection.
- Academic Unit
- School of Music
- Record Identifier
- 9984546542202771
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