Impulsive Moments: for 5 Intelligent Musicians
Impulsive Moments: for Five Intelligent Musicians was written for the improvisation group, Impulse. The piece is a humble attempt to capture the essence of moment form in a computer-interactive and improvisational medium. While the subtitle, 'for Five Intelligent Musicians,' may seem overly elitist, significant intellect is required for the execution of the piece. These performers must have an intimate understanding of the principles of moment form. They are forced to abandon otherwise valuable improvisational techniques such as building in density/intensity together, trading and varying melodic/harmonic fragments, working as a single unit, etc… This unnatural style of improvisation is meant to destroy all senses of teleological development—the antithesis of moment form.
The electronics were coded to enhance the moment form experience. The duration of the piece (9 min) is divided into 194 fractals of meaningful ratio relationships. The resultant timings control the onset of 1) changes in moments and 2) algorithmically decided processes. The audio signals from the musicians are often chopped up into tiny 'moments' (granulated) and dispersed at any point in time throughout the piece. Occasionally, the electronics will capture a moment and stretch it… infinitely.
"Although the piece must start for simple practical reasons, it may not begin; it must stop, but it
may not end."
~ Jonathan Kramer, "Moment Form in Twentieth Century Music," The Musical Quarterly 64, no. 2 (1978): 180.
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Click for extensive review and analysis by Musicuratum
The electronics were coded to enhance the moment form experience. The duration of the piece (9 min) is divided into 194 fractals of meaningful ratio relationships. The resultant timings control the onset of 1) changes in moments and 2) algorithmically decided processes. The audio signals from the musicians are often chopped up into tiny 'moments' (granulated) and dispersed at any point in time throughout the piece. Occasionally, the electronics will capture a moment and stretch it… infinitely.
"Although the piece must start for simple practical reasons, it may not begin; it must stop, but it
may not end."
~ Jonathan Kramer, "Moment Form in Twentieth Century Music," The Musical Quarterly 64, no. 2 (1978): 180.
Click for documentation
Click for extensive review and analysis by Musicuratum
