The music of John Exton: an investigation into the factors that influenced his compositions in the years 1970-1993

The music of composer John Exton (1933-2009) demonstrates a life-long interplay of influences, processes, and styles. This thesis focuses on his music from the 1970s, which typically displays the use of chance procedures, though usually within tightly controlled parameters strictly limited to compositional concerns, rather than performance presentation. Exton nevertheless retained an ongoing adherence to counterpoint and other conservative practices, and the relationship between these factors is examined. Exton played an important role in the formative years of Western Australia's new music scene, and this thesis is the first comprehensive study of his life and music.