Circle Squared
Sammanfattning
Ett verk för självspelande piano, dator och musiker. Ett komplext system av fyra virtuella musiker kontrolleras gestiskt från 16 trycksensorer, med hjälp av en mappningsteknik som jag utvecklat under de senaste åren. Det musikaliska resultatet är en komplex improvisativ pianomusik, som på makronivå kontrolleras i ögonblicket av tonsättaren, samtidigt som dess detaljer är komplexa och oförutsägbara.
Med stöd av
Vetenskapsrådet
Beskrivning av projektet
I have previously worked extensively with generative music, where complex musical material was created from software in non-realtime. Recently, I have concentrated on performance technologies for improvisation, with direct control over the sound to achieve freedom of expression in an improvisation context. The complexity of generative systems was not available here.
So, I developed a way of controlling the parameters of complex generative algorithms in realtime, through an array of 16 pressure sensors, allowing everything from fingertip nuances to brute force to be mirrored in the musical output.
The input from the sensors is mapped through a dynamic vectorization algorithm to a set of parameters in the generative system. This allows the space of possibilities to be explored by ear. Minute variations and wild explorations are possible, and if interesting regions are found, the mechanism can be shifted for further exploration.
The pressure sensors are played live, as a meta-improvisation in the search space of the generative system. Dynamic expression is mapped directly from the total finger pressure, allowing very organic phrasing. The playing technique is not unlike the polyphonic touch sensitivity of the clavichord, which I studied a number of years ago. This has been a seminal inspiration.
The generative live algorithm is simple in structure but complex in results. It consists of a simulation of four virtual musicians, each listening to its neighbours. From what the neighbour is playing, it deducts next musical interval, dynamics, articulation, and duration. Since all four virtual musicians are connected in a circle (hence the title), complex patterns can emerge data feedback. Such systems are notoriously difficult to control, but since this is played by ear, I can respond immediately, and change or enforce the current direction.
With its predefined rule system, infinite variety, fingertip control and organic phrasing, it is truly a hybrid of composition and improvisation.
This work is part of my extensive research project Creative Performance, investigating advanced technologies for improvisation and real-time composition. The project is funded by the Swedish Research Council.
The work was peer-reviewed and selected for a lecture/recital at the Interactive Keyboard Symposium 2012 at Goldsmiths College, London. However, for practical reasons, I chose not to present it there.
Benämmning och beskrivning av återgivna delverk
Abstract
Concert
Typ av arbete
Komposition
Offentliggjord i
Konsert, Kungliga Musikhögskolan, Stora salen, Stockholm, 20 april
Övrig beskrivning
This work was developed within the research project Creative Performance, directed by Palle Dahlstedt, Dept. of Applied IT and the Academy of Music and Drama, University of Gothenburg.
The work was peer-reviewed and selected for a lecture/recital at the Interactive Keyboard Symposium 2012 at Goldsmiths College, London. However, for practical reasons, I chose not to present it there.
Datum
2012Upphovsman
Dahlstedt, Palle
Nyckelord
Improvisation
Gestisk kontroll
Generativ musik
Algoritmisk komposition
Publikationstyp
artistic work