The author offers new approaches to sound material and composition made pos
sible by advances in technology and modern musical theory. He then discusse
s the use of Semiotic Temporal Units (USTs) as a method of organizing sound
material into morphologically based categories in an attempt to reenvisage
Western notions of musical composition. Finally, the author presents recen
t examples that illustrate the need for a rethinking of compositional rules
and methodologies.