Multiple Beginnings
Multiple Beginnings is a solo, semi-improvised live coding performance at the 1st International Live Code Festival in Karlsruhe, Germany in 2013. In this work the computer code serves as the primary medium of musical expression, controlling a range of synthesized sound sources. This performance is part of my ongoing investigation into the concise description of music as generative processes. Code is written from scratch, starting with a blank screen, and musical processes are developed and evolved during the performance.The title reflects the efficient re-use of succinct algorithmic processes to create a polyphonic texture. Further enhancement occurs through improvised code modification, allowing musical features to evolve organically over the course of the performance. As new structures are developed, older ones are modified. This performance marks the debut of my psychologically-inspired algorithms for melodic processes (Brown, Gifford, and Davidson 2015). The concert serves as part of an artistic research program, demonstrating and evaluating the aesthetic value and practical applicability of these developing algorithmic processes.
History
ERA Category
- Performance of Creative Work - Music
Funding type
- Other
Eligible major research output?
- Yes
Research Statement
Research Background "Multiple Beginnings" is a solo, semi-improvised live coding performance where computer code serves as the primary medium of musical expression, controlling a range of synthesized sound sources. This performance is part of the researcher's ongoing investigation into the concise description of music as generative process. Code is written from scratch, starting with a blank screen, and musical processes are developed and evolved during the performance. Research Contribution The title reflects the efficient re-use of succinct algorithmic processes to create a polyphonic texture. Further enhancement occurs through improvised code modification, allowing musical features to evolve organically over the course of the performance. As new structures are developed, older ones are modified. This performance marks the debut of psychologically-inspired algorithms for melodic processes, recently developed by the researcher. The concert serves as part of an artistic research program, demonstrating and evaluating the aesthetic value and practical applicability of these developing algorithmic processes. Research Significance The performance was selected through an international academic peer review process as the opening concert of the first-ever international festival of live coding. Additionally, the associated paper, "The Search for the Succinct: Live Coding Practice as Research," which explored related issues, was also selected for presentation at the festival’s academic symposium. The algorithms performed for the first time in this concert are the subject of an associated journal paper in the Computer Music Journal (Vol. 39(1)), which outlines their theoretical foundations, drawing from experiences gained during this creative practice (Brown, Gifford, and Davidson 2015).Publisher
live.code.festival 2013Place of publication
Karlsruhe, GermanyPublisher URL
Confidential / Culturally sensitive
- No
Copyright notes
© 2013 Andrew BrownReferences
Brown, Andrew R. 2013. “The Search for the Succinct: Live Coding Practice as Research.” In Proceedings of the 1st Live Code Festival. Karlsruhe, Germany: Hochschule für Musik. Brown, Andrew R., Toby Gifford, and Robert Davidson. 2015. “Techniques for Generative Melodies Inspired by Music Cognition.” Computer Music Journal 39 (1): 11–26.Language
EnglishDuration of performance
17:00Performance size
- Solo
Number of work performers
1Estimated size of audience
150Authors of work performed
Andrew R. BrownWas the work disseminated?
- Yes
Form of dissemination
- Public performance
Scope of dissemination
- International