11 December 2013, PhD defense, Hannah Bosma

The thesis investigates gender patterns in electrovocal music through a detailed study of several important compositions. It concludes that this supposedly avantgardistic genre is surprisingly in tune with conservative cliché's: most pieces feature the performance of a wordless, emotional, high-pitched soprano, whose voice is manipulated through the electronic equipment of an aloof male composer. But exceptions do occur, especially when the use of technology inspires a move away from the traditional musical composition – for instance by blurring the distinction between composer and performer, and by abolishing the written score.

For more information, contact Hannah Bosma: mail at hannahbosma.nl