The Homonculus Cycle: A Compositional Examination of Poetic, Narrative, and Musical Meaning

This compositional thesis is a song cycle for baritone voice and small ensemble of upright bass, violin, and steel-string guitar, based on the poem “Homonculus” by MacKenzie Regier. In Part 1, I explore several sources of inspiration for the cycle’s compositional rigour, including cross-application of Stanislavski acting method to composers and the selected works of Radiohead, Tom Waits, and Koji Kondo. In Part 2, I give a detailed accounting of the application of the principles explored in Part 1 and explain many of my compositional decisions in relation to the meaning of the source poetry. The scores, program notes, poetry, and lyrics are attached in the appendices.