Philip Acimovic, a Ph.D. candidate in music composition, has received a Russell J. and Dorothy S. Bilinski Educational Foundation Dissertation Writing Fellowship for the academic year 2017-2018.

Acimovic’s dissertation analyzes three musical works from different eras that challenge established musical conventions of clarity, intent and perception: “Musical Offering” by Johann Sebastian Bach (1747), “Holiday Symphony” by Charles Ives (1913) and “Melodien” by György Ligeti (1971).

“The musical uniqueness and perceptual ambiguity of the works allows them to be capable of sustaining myriad interpretations – offering new wonders on every new listening,” the dissertation states.

To achieve a wide view, Acimovic will take three approaches to the music starting with a theoretical analysis dealing with the nuts and bolts as to understand each work’s construction. Then through music perception research he will consider the listener’s perspective, acknowledging the complex real-time experience that occurs in the brain. Lastly, his research considers acoustical issues of performance, such as how the timbre of the instruments and the acoustics of the venue may further alter one’s perception of these dense musical webs.

The Bilinski Foundation awards the 15-month fellowship to continuing students who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability and potential in the disciplines of history, economics, political science, English, performance studies or music. Recipients will receive a $31,500 stipend and payment of fees and tuition. They will also have a research travel fund of $1,000. Five to nine fellowships are awarded annually.