CONVERGING HORIZONTALS
algorithmic score for 4 live and 12 pre-recorded parts (2023)
In collaboration with Aleksandra Jovanić
algorithmic score for 4 live and 12 pre-recorded parts (2023)
In collaboration with Aleksandra Jovanić
4 voices (live)
Buchla (4 pre-recorded tracks) Flute (2 pre-recorded tracks) Cello (2 pre-recorded tracks) 4 processed voices (pre-recorded) Premiered by the SoloVoices at Gare du Nord, Basel April 2023 Converging horizontals is an experiment in musical structuring and notation for musical instruments and human voice, with the use of generative algorithms produced in Processing.
The piece is inspired by the accidental, vertical cross-sections between 4 voices which are set in continuous linear motion. The simplicity of linear movement is superimposed with a complex set of rules that’s imbedded into producing 4 uninterrupted lines of sound, code and graphics and of the governing principles how they unroll and behave in time. Musical structuring here meets formal qualities of the programming language and the two become tightly intersected. Result is an electro-acoustic interpretation of the composed algorithm that uncovers various imperfections which are humanized additionally by the live, singing voices. Poietic intention to bring to the forefront simplicity and beauty of 4 curved lines, creates an ongoing, performative and installative media situation without beginning and end. Performance duration is open, and can be determined by the musicians. |
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Algorithm generates four different horizontal lines under the established rules, in the comfortable range of each singing voice, tuned to 434Hz. These lines are skeleton of the piece, and their length is 30 minutes. Each line has 4 variants - 1 performed live and 3 recorded ones. Algorithm decides on alteration of these variants based on predefined rules.
To fine-tune the rules of the algorithm, graphical score was produced, dividing 30 minutes of horizontal lines into 25 pages, each lasting 72 seconds. This provided means to have overview of the piece and to define certain aspects of it such as filtering and range expansions and contractions for example. This score is used by the performers and what’s visible to the audience is a rendition of the score omitting certain information. |
Credits:
Concept, composition - Svetlana Maraš
Notation, algorithm, visuals - Aleksandra Jovanić
Solo Voices: Jean-Christophe Groffe, Svea Schildknecht, Francisca Näf, Jean Knutti
Flutes - Tatiana Timonina
Cello - Katarina Leskovar