Étude du syncrétisme de l’assiko à travers le geste et le foyer socioculturel d’un guitariste Bassa

Ce mémoire porte sur le rôle du geste musical dans le développement de styles musicaux devenus syncrétiques. Il s’attarde à définir dans le détail le style de guitare populaire assiko propre aux Bassa du Cameroun du Sud lequel est représenté internationalement par le guitariste et percussionniste traditionnel Atna Njock. Grâce à une approche dialogique et participative, les techniques du jeu assiko sont explorées et comparées à des exemples de jeu de guitare européenne, afro-américaines et africaines. Les influences qui définissent le jeu d’Atna découlent de la culture Bassa et de son histoire marquée par l’influence coloniale et missionnaire, mais sont aussi alimentées par la «philosophie» (voire la spiritualité) et le passé musical de l’artiste. L’approche participative fournit une perspective émique, c’est-à-dire interne à la culture, de la gestuelle et de la structure du jeu assiko même si nous confrontons les propos du musicien à notre propre regard analytique. La comparaison avec divers instruments de percussion auxquels Atna a été initié montre comment ceux-ci ont forgé son jeu guitaristique. Son rôle de « garant » de la tradition musicale Bassa influence son approche et se manifeste par une préoccupation particulière pour l’« authenticité » dans la reproduction des rythmes d’un « langage » musical donné. Ses liens avec la culture Bassa, s’expriment notamment par le biais de sa reproduction du style de jeu de son maître, Jean Bikoko « Aladin ». La contribution particulière d’Atna à la technique de guitare de Bikoko est comprise comme un ajout à la lignée ancestrale. Une analyse d’un morceau du répertoire assiko issu du plus récent album d’Atna illustre d’ailleurs comment son incorporation de styles « modernes » reproduit les processus traditionnels en intégrant des éléments culturels étrangers.

Introduction des sonorités du Mexique préhispanique dans l'orchestration moderne

Les compositions musicales de l’étudiante qui accompagne cette thèse sous la forme d’un disque audio est disponible au comptoir de la Bibliothèque de musique sous le titre : Cristina García Islas (https://umontreal.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1135201695)

Les mécanismes excitotoxiques et le rôle de transporteurs de glutamate dans la physiopathologie des traumatismes crâniens = Excitotoxic mechanisms and the role of glutamate transporters in the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

"Double Rainbow," "Appalachiana," and "'The Invisible Mass': Exploring Compositional Technique in Alfred Schnittke's Second Symphony"

This dissertation consists of three distinct components: (1) “Double Rainbow,” a notated composition for an acoustic ensemble of 10 instruments, ca. 36 minutes. (2) “Appalachiana”, a fixed-media composition for electro-acoustic music and video, ca. 30 minutes, and (3) “'The Invisible Mass': Exploring Compositional Technique in Alfred Schnittke’s Second Symphony”, an analytical article.

(1) Double Rainbow is a ca. 36 minute composition in four movements scored for 10 instruments: flute, Bb clarinet (doubling on bass clarinet), tenor saxophone (doubling on alto saxophone), french horn, percussion (glockenspiel, vibraphone, wood block, 3 toms, snare drum, bass drum, suspended cymbal), piano, violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Each of the four movements of the piece explore their own distinct character and set of compositional goals. The piece is presented as a musical score and as a recording, which was extensively treated in post-production.

(2) Appalachiana, is a ca. 30 minute fixed-media composition for music and video. The musical component was created as a vehicle to showcase several approaches to electro-acoustic music composition –fft re-synthesis for time manipulation effects, the use of a custom-built software instrument which implements generative approaches to creating rhythm and pitch patterns, using a recording of rain to create rhythmic triggers for software instruments, and recording additional components with acoustic instruments. The video component transforms footage of natural landscapes filmed at several locations in North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia into a surreal narrative using a variety of color, lighting, distortion, and time-manipulation video effects.

(3) “‘The Invisible Mass:’ Exploring Compositional Technique in Alfred Schnittke’s Second Symphony” is an analytical article that focuses on Alfred Schnittke’s compositional technique as evidenced in the construction of his Second Symphony and discussed by the composer in a number of previously untranslated articles and interviews. Though this symphony is pivotal in the composer’s oeuvre, there are currently no scholarly articles that offer in-depth analyses of the piece. The article combines analyses of the harmony, form, and orchestration in the Second Symphony with relevant quotations from the composer, some from published and translated sources and others newly translated by the author from research at the Russian State Library in St. Petersburg. These offer a perspective on how Schnittke’s compositional technique combines systematic geometric design with keen musical intuition.

Les mécanismes excitotoxiques et le rôle de transporteurs de glutamate dans la physiopathologie des traumatismes crâniens = Excitotoxic mechanisms and the role of glutamate transporters in the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury

Thèse numérisée par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

Core scans and lithologic analysis of Subglacial Lake Whillans sediment cores

The hydrologic system beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet is thought to influence both the dynamics and distribution of fast flowing ice streams, which discharge most of the ice lost by the ice sheet. Despite considerable interest in understanding this subglacial network and its affect on ice flow, in situ observations from the ice sheet bed are exceedingly rare. Here we describe the first sediment cores recovered from an active subglacial lake. The lake, known as Subglacial Lake Whillans, is part of a broader, dynamic hydrologic network beneath the Whillans Ice Stream in West Antarctica. Even though "floods" pass through the lake, the lake floor shows no evidence of erosion or deposition by flowing water. By inference, these floods must have insufficient energy to erode or transport significant volumes of sediment coarser than silt. Consequently, water flow beneath the region is probably incapable of incising continuous channels into the bed and instead follows preexisting subglacial topography and surface slope. Sediment on the lake floor consists of till deposited during intermittent grounding of the ice stream following flood events. The fabrics within the till are weaker than those thought to develop in thick deforming beds suggesting subglacial sediment fluxes across the ice plain are currently low and unlikely to have a large stabilizing effect on the ice stream's grounding zone.

Ablation of Steel by Microsecond Pulse Trains

Laser micromachining is an important material processing technique used in industry and medicine to produce parts with high precision. Control of the material removal process is imperative to obtain the desired part with minimal thermal damage to the surrounding material. Longer pulsed lasers, with pulse durations of milli- and microseconds, are used primarily for laser through-cutting and welding. In this work, a two-pulse sequence using microsecond pulse durations is demonstrated to achieve consistent material removal during percussion drilling when the delay between the pulses is properly defined. The light-matter interaction moves from a regime of surface morphology changes to melt and vapour ejection. Inline coherent imaging (ICI), a broadband, spatially-coherent imaging technique, is used to monitor the ablation process. The pulse parameter space is explored and the key regimes are determined. Material removal is observed when the pulse delay is on the order of the pulse duration. ICI is also used to directly observe the ablation process. Melt dynamics are characterized by monitoring surface changes during and after laser processing at several positions in and around the interaction region. Ablation is enhanced when the melt has time to flow back into the hole before the interaction with the second pulse begins. A phenomenological model is developed to understand the relationship between material removal and pulse delay. Based on melt refilling the interaction region, described by logistic growth, and heat loss, described by exponential decay, the model is fit to several datasets. The fit parameters reflect the pulse energies and durations used in the ablation experiments. For pulse durations of 50 us with pulse energies of 7.32 mJ +/- 0.09 mJ, the logisitic growth component of the model reaches half maximum after 8.3 us +/- 1.1 us and the exponential decays with a rate of 64 us +/- 15 us. The phenomenological model offers an interpretation of the material removal process.

Das raízes

O objetivo deste projeto artístico foi desenvolver um conhecimento mais aprofundado relacionado com a execução e interpretação de técnicas de percussão tradicionais aliadas a técnicas contemporâneas. De entre as várias técnicas tradicionais de percussão optei por desenvolver as da percussão Africana (Guiné e Burkina Faso, e mais tarde Nigéria) e as da percussão Cubana. Criei assim um projeto artístico de fusão intitulado Das Raízes, no qual ao longo dos dois anos do curso de mestrado estive em contacto com a música Africana e Cubana aliada a técnicas contemporâneas e composições originais (minhas e de outros compositores). Para cada obra explorei primeiro as técnicas tradicionais e em seguida adaptei-as à percussão contemporânea, num processo onde as suas raízes africanas, cubanas ou até afro- cubanas são evidentes. Neste projeto salienta-se o papel preponderante das mãos. No século XXI o uso da baqueta predomina como a técnica mais forte para dominar os instrumentos nos conservatórios e nas escolas superiores de música. Após ter adquirido esta técnica resolvi aprofundar as técnicas tradicionais onde predominam o uso não só da baqueta mas também da mão, um mundo antigo na sua existência, mas novo para mim. Espero poder transportar o ouvinte para um mundo em que cor, movimento e som, antiguidade e contemporaneidade estão em constante vibração.

An in-depth analysis of original compositions

The purpose of this thesis is two-fold. It presents six original pieces composed and arranged by the author, and it provides a thorough analysis of each. The compositions draw from many different musical genres: contemporary jazz, swing, funk, fusion, soul, neo-soul, and rhythm and blues. The applications of melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic techniques derived from these genres can be found in these original compositions. These compositions are inspired by -- and attempt to narrate --life experiences. Parallels between life and music are drawn and explained. By way of introduction, some information is given regarding the ensemble that first performed these original compositions. The ensemble comprised trumpet, tenor saxophone, keyboards, piano, electric bass, upright acoustic bass, drums, and percussion.

Prevalência de lesões músculo-esqueléticas em praticantes de instrumentos de sopro ou percussão

Projeto de Graduação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Licenciada em Fisioterapia

Os tímpanos como instrumento solista no contexto da percussão de altura definida

Com este projecto pretende-se abordar uma vertente no estudo dos Tímpanos que, ao longo da sua história, tem sido marginal, relativamente à sua utilização "normal" de instrumento de orquestra - A utilização de Tímpanos como instrumento solista, especialmente na situação de solista não concertista. Para a persecução deste objectivo será traçada a trajectória evolutiva do instrumento ao longo da História da Música, tanto do ponto de vista das suas características de construção como da sua utilização pelos compositores ao longo do tempo. Não pode, por isso, deixar de ser feita uma abordagem da utilização dos Tímpanos em Orquestra, pois foi a utilização orquestral o "motor" da evolução do instrumento. Em complemento ao atrás enunciado, será igualmente desenvolvido o tema das preocupações de respeito pelo contexto histórico aplicado ao caso específico dos Tímpanos. Será igualmente feita uma tentativa de identificação de existência de exemplares antigos em Bandas de Música amadoras, através da realização de um inquérito. Por fim será traçado o quadro geral da utilização dos Tímpanos em Portugal nos dias de hoje. Atenção especial será dada a composições onde o objecto de estudo deste projecto está, mais directamente, em evidência. É este o caso de Marche (1685) dos irmãos Philidor, de um conjunto de Concertos e Sinfonias para múltiplos Tímpanos do final do século XVIII e das Eight Pieces for Four Timpani (1950/1966) de Elliott Carter. No caso da Marche será feita uma pequena análise e realizada uma edição moderna. No caso das peças para Tímpanos de Elliott Carter, será analisada com mais profundidade a peça Moto Perpetuo. Até ao final do século XVIII os Tímpanos foram, quase exclusivamente, os únicos instrumentos de Percussão usados na Música Erudita Ocidental. A partir do século XIX a secção da Percussão foi enriquecida com inúmeros novos elementos. Entre eles, novos instrumentos de Percussão de altura definida a que os Tímpanos pertencem. Será, tal como para os Tímpanos, traçado o seu trajecto de evolução e assim será completado o quadro actual da Percussão de altura definida. O Recital concretiza os principais pontos explorados no trabalho escrito, através da apresentação de um conjunto de obras apresentadas por ordem cronológica: -Marche de André e Jacques Philidor (1685) - Eight Pieces for Four Timpani de Elliott Carter (1950/1966) (March, Saeta, Moto Perpetuo, Recitative) - Concerto pour Percussion et Orquestre de André Jolivet (1958) (andamentos I, II e III) - OMAR Due pezzi per Vibrafono de Franco Donatoni (1985) ABSTRACT: Investigate the marginal use of the Timpani as a solo instrument is the main object of this study. ln order to achieve this main goal, we will point out the evolution of the instrument along Music History. We will focus both: the main characteristics of its construction and the way they have been used by composers. Bearing these facts in mind, we will also center our attention on the way that Timpani have been used at Orchestras, which had certainly leaded to the development of the instrument we are studying. At the same time, we will study historical respect and performance, by contextualizing the different historical periods of Timpani. It is also important to have information about the quantity of Timpani used at amateur musical bands in Portugal, mainly in what concerns ancient instruments. These elements will allow us to draw a general idea about the way Timpani are used in Portugal. ln order to have concrete examples of the Timpani as a solo instrument, we will analyze the following compositions: Marche de Timba/les (1685) by André and Jacques Philidor; The ensemble of Concerts and Symphonies for multiple Timpani from the end of the XVIIIth century; The Eight Pieces for Four Timpani (1950/1966) by Elliott Carter. Bearing in mind that other Defined Pitch Percussion Instruments have emerged at the beginning of the XIXth century, we will also study the evolution of those instruments. The Recital will materialize the main aspects we have focused at our written work and already mentioned above. The presentation will follow a chronological sequence as indicated: Marche de Timballes by André and Jacques Philidor (1685) Eight Pieces for Four Timpani by Elliott Carter (1950/1966) (March, Saeta, Moto Perpetuo, Recitative) - Concerto pour Percussion et Orquestre by André Jolivet (1958) (Movements I, II, III) Omar Due Pezzi per Vibrafono by Franco Donatoni (1985)

O berimbau de Naná Vasconcelos na música contemporânea

Este trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar a técnica desenvolvida no Berimbau pelo percussionista Naná Vasconcelos em suas composições e, através da escrita, compara-la com a técnica do Berimbau contemporâneo. Será apresentada também a transcrição da música “Mundo Verde” presente no álbum Fragmentos (1997) destacando-a como sendo mais uma peça para o repertório solo deste instrumento; Naná Vasconcelos's Berimbau in contemporany music. Abstract: This work aims to present the technique developed in Berimbau by percussionist Naná Vasconcelos in his compositions and, through writing, compare it the technique in contemporary Berimbau. It will also be presented the transcript on the song "Green World" of the album Fragments (1997) highlighting it as one more piece for solo repertoire of the instrument.