In 2008 I finished my artistic research doctorate with the title “New creative possibilities through improvisational use of compositional techniques, - a new computer instrument for the performing musician”. The main part of the output was artistic, and there is also a written reflection and documentation available in web format here.

The starting point for the project was a desire to work with issues in the intersection between composition and improvisation, with a focus was on the aspects of performance. The work consisted of three main elements:

  1. To explore the artistic potential that is to be found in the intersection between real time composition and improvisation.
  2. To develop a new instrument that facilitates improvisational use of composition techniques.
  3. Performance of works of music that make use of the tool, alone or in interplay with various other performers.

The intention of the scholarship work was to create music with new approaches to the fields of composition, improvisation and ensemble playing and with the use of an extended tonal palette. The new instrument was implemented as a computer program for audio processing in which various composition routines were built in as an integral part of the instrument. When algorithmic composition techniques are repurposed for realtime interaction like this, we see a crossover activity between composition and improvisation. We could use the term algorithmic improvisation to describe parts of this field. This includes also the effects that the algorithms have on the musical perceptions of the performer in such a close knit interaction. The critical listening skills of the performer may be challenged by attempting to follow and respond to the output of the algorithms in real time, and the algorithms in turn respond to material given by the performer. Within this context, new modes of musical interaction, and new types of music may be created.

As part of the artistic output, I also collaborated with other ensembles and performer, like Motorpsycho, Trio Alpaca, Eirik Hegdal Quartet, Ingrid Lode, Carl Haakon Waadeland, Thomas T. Dahl, Kenneth Kapstad, Mattis Kleppen, Mathias Eick, Arve Henriksen, Stian Westerhus, Bent Sæther and Hans Magnus Ryan. I did sound installations “Flyndre” (2006) and “Irrganger” (2007), the last of these two in collaboration with artist Viel Bjerkeset Andersen.

Tags: writing

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