Permutatis : twenty-five pieces for piano for two hands based on the Thompson system of thematic fusion

Abstract

This creative project is a practical application of the Thompson System of Thematic Fusion, which I have developed. My compositional technique has been applied to twenty-five pieces written for piano in all major and minor keys. This collection of pieces is entitled Permutatis. The collection employs my technique in a number of different textures, styles and meters. The process of Thematic Fusion allows for the exact fusion of two melodic themes by means of averaging them, creating a third hybrid theme thereof. This compositional technique may be used with two or more themes and may be combined with traditional techniques such as retrograde, diminution, augmentation, or inversion. The pieces in Permutatis are composed in a contemporary, yet fully tonal and accessible language and serve to demonstrate Thematic Fusion in the widest array of compositional approaches in the tonal spectrum.