Typomorphological approach to the work Tientos del Vespero by Alfredo del Mónaco

Abstract

With the appearance of concrete music, a method for analyzing the perception of sound structures called Typomorphology was developed. This consists of providing various criteria for the classification of different sound parameters by their form and type. This methodology had important repercussions on some composers and theorists who broadened their perspective; such is the case of Lasse Thoren who, through aural sonology, reformulated and expanded some concepts of Schaefferian typomorphology to offer an analytical approach of music-as-heard, whose perspective focuses on various forms of listening and understanding applied to any type of musical style. This approach motivates the typomorphological analysis of the work Tientos del véspero by the Venezuelan composer Alfredo del Mónaco, who was a pioneer of contemporary music in his country, and in whose work some typomorphological criteria can be glimpsed. In this sense, this article will introduce some of the basic notions of typomorphology through Thoresen's work, will present a profile of the Venezuelan composer referred to and will present the typomorphological analysis of one of his most important works for solo guitar.