Output details

Calder’s Violin

Portfolio Output 3 (see attached WEBLINK and Portfolio DVD-ROM; The content on the web links to equivalent material as to be found on the DVD-ROM)

Calder’s Violin is a composition amalgamating algorithmic composition with live notation. The audio programming environment SuperCollider is used to define a series of musical functions and these functions are then distributed in time. A number of the algorithms used are developments of those used for the Metapiano, now augmented to enable the output of standard music notation. Each musical function includes a variety of parameters allowing significant variation between evaluations and these variations represent a significant part of the compositional detail. The distribution in time is generally linear, although there are a number of occasions in the scheduling where less predictable variation is allowed to influence the timing and ordering of events. The algorithmic scheduling of events is a significant aspect to be developed and exploited in future research.

The functions mentioned above include code for the conversion of algorithmic data into a format suitable for its display in conventional musical notation in real-time. This means that the violinist’s part is not determined in detail until just before the moment of performance. The general style and mood of the music is intended to be quite predictable, however.

The result of this programming is, it is hoped, a balance between composed, improvised and performed electroacoustic music. Although there are very few predetermined pitches or durations, the piece has clearly recognizable musical characteristics and structures and so to that extent represents an amalgamation of different styles of and approaches to music.

The engine for the real-time notation is provided by INScore, software developed by Dominique Fober at the French music research institute GRAME. My work with INScore has featured in a number of Dominique’s papers on the project (http://www.grame.fr/ressources/publications/INScore-ID12-2.pdf), and I was invited to present this work at the 2013 INScore workshop in Saint-Etienne (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8N-07H57Gc).