21M.361 | Spring 2008 | Undergraduate

Composing with Computers I (Electronic Music Composition)

Listening

WEEK # MODULES WEEKLY LISTENINGS NOTES
Module 0: listening survey
1 0: listening survey

Excerpts played in class

Radiohead. “Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors.” Amnesiac. Capitol, 2001.

Fennesz, Christian. “013 +- 6.18.” Plus Forty Seven Degrees 56’ 37" Minus Sixteen Degrees 51’ 08". Touch TO:40, 1999.

Gas. [Track 1] from Zauberberg, 1997; reissued on 4-CD compilation Gas, Kompact 2001.

Nomex. “Time Vs. Mind (Penultimate Drill Turntable).” Garten Der Verschlungenen Pfade - Jahr 01. Pfad, 1999.

Günter, Bernhard. “Untitled I/92.” Un Peu De Neige Salie. Table of Elements, 1993 (reissue of 1983 release).

Whincop, Peter. “0212 It was so nice to see you again (voice Jen Myung) [excerpt].” (2002) (MP3 - 6.1MB) (Courtesy of Jen Myung.)

Seht & Stelzer. “Track 1.” Exactly What You Lost. Intransitive int028, 2006.

Microstoria. “Slap Top.” Init Ding. (1995)

Helmreich, Stefan. “Matrix 12510-2.” Xerophonics. Seeland Productions, 2003. (MP3 - 2.5MB)

Scelsi, Giacinto. “Anahit.” (1965) Quattro Pezzi per Orchestra/Anahit/Uaxuctum. Accord, 1996.

Ikeda, Ryoji. “Headphonics 0/1.” + / - . Touch TO:30, 1996.

Murs. “Sunsprayed Ft 3MG.” Comurshul. Veritech Records, 1996 (cassette-only release)

Ziporyn, Evan. “Postcard (w/ Ava, Simon, & Skyler).” 1st movement of “No Return: River Impressions 2002.” The Whole Salmon. Sun Valley Center for the Arts, 2003. (MP3 - 3.2MB) (Courtesy of Evan Ziporyn. Used with permission.)

Excerpts of student work from prior terms

(Courtesy of the students, used with permission.)

Assignment 1.3 (recorded sounds made into a piece): Tilly Whitney (MP3 - 1.8MB)

Assignment 2.2 (feedback improvisation): Melike Yersiz (MP3 - 1.8MB)

Assignment 3.2.4 (sequence of noise): Peter Coles (MP3)

Assignment 3.3 (recorded and stolen sounds, noise, convolution, filtering): Rae Zucker (MP3 - 2.7MB)

Assignment 5.1 (plunderphonics): Graham Woolley, improving Björk (MP3 - 2.7MB)

 
Module 1: musique concrète, form and content
2 1.1: musique concrète

Compulsory

Ostertag, Bob. “Sooner Or Later - Part One.” (1991) (Download MP3 courtesy of Bob Ostertag.)

Xenakis, Iannis. “Concret PH.” (1958) Early Modulations: Vintage Volts. Caipirinha Music, 1999.

Lamb, Alan. “Beauty.” (1986) Primal Image. Dorobo 008, 1995.

Body, Jack. “Prelude: Azan (Call To Prayer),” and “Epilogue: Sawangan (Pigeon Whistles).” Suara: Environmental Music from Java. Ode Record Co., Ltd, 1993.

Schaeffer, Pierre. “Etude aux Chemins du Fer.” (1948) OHM: The Early Gurus of Electronic Music, 1948-1980. Ellipsis Arts, 2000. (View video on YouTube.)

Peebles, Sarah. “First Kitchen (South Shinjuku Area).” (2002) 108: Walking Through Tokyo at the Turn of the Century. Post-Concrète Records, 2002.

Cage, John. “Williams Mix.” (1952) OHM: The Early Gurus of Electronic Music, 1948-1980. Ellipsis Arts, 2000.

(PDF)
3 1.2: more musique concrète

Compulsory

Czukay, Holgar. “Boat-Woman-Song.” (1968) OHM: The Early Gurus of Electronic Music, 1948-1980. Ellipsis Arts, 2000.

Helmreich, Stefan. “Matrix 12510-2.” Xerophonics. Seeland Productions, 2003. (MP3 - 5.1MB) (Courtesy of Stefan Helmreich.)

Reich, Steve. “Come Out.” (1966) Early Works. Nonesuch, 1992.

Ziporyn, Evan. “Postcard (w/ Ava, Simon, & Skyler).” 1st movement of “No Return: River Impressions 2002.” From The Whole Salmon. Sun Valley Center for the Arts, 2003. (MP3 - 7.3MB) (Courtesy of Evan Ziporyn. Used with permission.)

Whincop, Peter. “0510 My red-haired girl (voice/text Robert Lax).” (2005) (MP3 - 14.4MB) (Text: “Radio Masque for my Girl Coming Down From Northampton,” written and read by Robert Lax. Used courtesy of his estate.)

Helmreich, Stefan. “Xerox 5828.” Xerophonics. Seeland Productions, 2003. (MP3 - 2.9MB) (Courtesy of Stefan Helmreich.)

Larson, Forrest. “Urban Sanctuary,” (MP3 - 12MB) and “Long Short Waves.” (MP3 - 19.3MB) Timbre Harvest. Big Bark Music, 2001. (Courtesy of Forrest Larson. Used with permission.)

(PDF)
4 1.3: even more musique concrète

Compulsory

Bryars, Gavin. “Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet.” Sinking of the Titanic / Jesus’ Blood. Original version, Obscure 1 1975, reissued Virgin EMI, 2004.

Fennesz, Christian. “013 +- 6.18.” Plus Forty Seven Degrees 56’ 37" Minus Sixteen Degrees 51’ 08". Touch TO:40, 1999.

Helvacioglu, Erdem. “Wandering Around The City.” (2003) From Resonant Cities. Radio program produced by DRIFT Radio, Scotland, 2004.

Lansky, Paul. “Pattern’s Patterns.” Alphabet Book. Bridge, 2002.

Matthews, Kaffe “In Search of a Bun, 8.” cd dd. Annette Works, 2000.

Dockstader, Tod. “Traveling Music.” (1961) Apocalypse. Starkland, 1994.

Pink Floyd. “Bike.” The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn. Capitol, 1967.

López, Francisco. Excerpt from “La Selva.” La Selva. 1998.

Matthews, Kaffe. “The Last of the Violins, 14.” cd dd. Annette Works, 2000.

(PDF)

Module 2: feedback and continuity
5 2.1: whole feedback compositions

Compulsory

Neuhaus, Max, and John Cage. “Fontana Mix - Feed 1-3.” (1965/68) Fontana Mix — Feed. Alga Margen, 2003.

Woolley, Graham. “One Hundred Mics.” (2006) (MP3 - 7.3MB) (Courtesy of Graham Woolley. Used with permission.)

Max Neuhaus/John Cage/Peter Whincop. “0704 Fontana Mixes Feed 1-6.” (2007) (MP3 - 24MB)

Whincop, Peter. “0609 [jam2sp1.1].” (2006) (MP3 - 40.8MB)

———. “0610 New (formerly Brass Orchids).” (2006) (MP3 - 22.6MB)

Neuhaus, Max, and John Cage. “Fontana Mix - Feed 4-6.” (1965/68) Fontana Mix — Feed. Alga Margen, 2003.

(PDF)
6 2.2: compositions wth feedback

Compulsory

Monahan, Gordon. “Speaker Swinging.” (1982) Excerpt from Imaginary Landscapes: New Electronic Music. Nonesuch, 1992. (View video on YouTube.)

Slap Happy Humphrey. “Gyakkosen (Light In My Eyes).” Slap Happy Humphrey. Public Bath, 1996.

Whincop, Peter. “0212 It was so nice to see you again (voice Jen Myung).” (2002) (MP3 - 29.7) (Courtesy of Jen Myung.)

Kline, Phil. “Bachman’s Warbler.” (1993) Glow in the Dark. New World Records (reissue of original CRI release), 2007.

Gordon, Michael. “Industry.” (1992) Bang on a Can: Classics. Cantaloupe, 2002.

Sonic Youth/Steve Reich. “Pendulum Music.” (1969/1999). SYR 4: Goodbye 20th Century. SYR, 1999.

David Cossin. “A. C. T. (Amplified Cardboard Tube).” (2002)

(PDF)
Module 3: noise and layers
7 3.1: homogeneous layers (that happen to be nice)

Compulsory

Pärt, Arvo.“Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten, for String Orchestra and Bell.” (1977) Stuttgart State Orchestra, Dennis Russell Davies. Tabula Rasa. ECM, 1999.

Scelsi, Giacinto. “Anahit.” (1965) Quattro Pezzi per Orchestra/Anahit/Uaxuctum. Accord, 1996.

Gas. [Track 1] from Zauberberg, 1997; reissued on 4-CD compilation Gas, Kompact 2001.

Schoenberg, Arnold. “Farben Fünf Orchesterstücke Op. 16/iii.” (1909) London Symphony Orchestra, Robert Craft. Naxos, 2006.

Biosphere. “Gravity Assist.” Shenzhou. Touch TO:55, 2002.

Köner, Thomas. “Meta Incognita.” Teimo-Permafrost. EFA Imports, 1997.

Ligeti, György. “Atmosphères.” (1961) Berliner Philharmoniker, Jonathan Nott. The Ligeti Project II. Teldec, 2002.

Wagner, Richard. “Prelude” from Das Rheingold. (excerpt, first 4 minutes) (1854) Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Deutsche Grammophon, 2002.

Penderecki, Krzysztof. “Threnody For The Victims Of Horoshima (For 52 Stringed Instruments).” (1960) National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Antoni Wit. Orchestral Works Vol. I. Naxos, 2000.

Whincop, Peter. “0610 Allston(contactnoise)-MIT(feedback)-Providence(convolution).” (2006) (MP3 - 28MB)

 
8 3.2: noise and other stuff

Compulsory

Radiohead. “Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors.” Amnesiac. Capitol, 2001.

Müm. “We Have A Map Of The Piano.” Finally We Are No One. Fat Cat, 2002.

Lucier, Alvin. “Music On A Long Thin Wire.” (excerpt, 6:45) (1977/1980/1992). Lovely Music CD 1011, 1980.

Seht & Stelzer. “Track 1.” Exactly What You Lost. Intransitive int028, 2006.

Nmperign & Jason Lescalleet. “This is Ruined.” Love Me Two Times. Intransitive int026, 2006.

Niblock, Phil. “Sweet Potato.” Touch Food. TO:59, 2003.

Nmperign & Jason Lescalleet. “The Mystery Disease That Haunts My Town.” Love Me Two Times. Intransitive int026, 2006.

Unknown artist. Track 3 from unknown German blue CD from around 2001.

Played in class

Amacher, Maryanne. “Head Rhythm 1.” Sound Characters. Tzadik, 1999. [Played very loud.]

(PDF)

9 3.3: more noise

Compulsory

Nomex. “Time Vs. Mind (Penultimate Drill Turntable).” Garten Der Verschlungenen Pfade - Jahr 01. Pfad 01, 2001.

Marclay, Christian, and Otomo Yoshihide. “Derailment.” Moving Parts. Asphodel, 2000.

Atlatl. “Subjects To Change.” Assortment Of Rounds. Cloaca, 2001. (MP3 - 7.3MB) (Courtesy of Phil Hendricks. Used with permission.)

Branca, Glenn. “Movement Within.” Bang on a Can All-Stars. Renegade Heaven. Cantaloupe Music, 2000.

Tenney, James. “Critical Band.” (1988) On Edge. Mode, 1995.

Merzbow. “Ambient Study For Kinbaku-Bi Part 6.” Music For Bondage Performance 2. Extreme XCD 034, 1996.

Null, K. K. “0-01_430.” Extasy Of Zero-G Sex. Vinyl Communications, 1998.

Dreyblatt, Arnold. “High Life.” Propellers in Love. Hat Art, 1986.

Tenney, James. “Analog #1 (Noise Study).” (1961) Selected Works: 1961-1969. New World Records, 2003.

(PDF)
Module 4: synthesis, algorithm, interaction (Max/MSP)
10 4.1: synthesis, algorithm, process

Compulsory

Pan Sonic. “Aines.” Kulma. Mute, 1997.

Microstoria. “Slap Top.” Init Ding. Thrill Jockey, 1995.

Günter, Bernhard. “Untitled I/92.” Un Peu De Neige Salie. Table of Elements, 1993 (reissue of 1983 release).

Ikeda, Ryoji. “Headphonics 0/1.” + / -. Touch TO:30, 1996.

Fennesz, Christian and [someone else]. “[Fennesz-Berlin].” 2001.

Random Inc. “Losing Touch.” Clicks and Cuts Vol. 2. EFA Imports, 2001.

Tilliander, Andreas. “Vibetan.” Clicks and Cuts Vol. 2. EFA Imports, 2001.

Thomas Meinecke’s Framus Waikiki. “Jukebox.” Maschinelle Stratageme. Ritornell / Mille Plateaux, 2000.

Lansky, Paul. “mild und leise.” (1973) (MP3 - 16.7 MB)

Radiohead. “Idioteque.” Kid A. Capitol, 2000.

(PDF)
11 4.2: voice

Ashley, Robert. “Automatic Writing.” Automatic Writing. Lovely Music, 1979.

Sonami, Laetitia deCompiegne. “What Happened.” (1987) Imaginary Landscapes: New Electronic Music. Nonesuch, 1992.

Whincop, Peter. “0212 It must be midnight (voice Helen Lee).” (2002) (MP3 - 31.3MB) (Courtesy of Helen Lee.)

Toebosch, Moniek. “L’Essence des Douleurs Contemporaines.” (2005) From CD packaged with Open 9: Sound. Edited by Jorinde Seijdel and Liesbeth Melis. NAi Publishers, 2006. ISBN: 9789056624576.

Lee, Helen. “Longing.” (1999) (MP3 - 5.5MB) (Courtesy of Helen Lee. Used with permission.)

Radiohead. “Everything In Its Right Place.” Kid A. Capitol, 2000.

Lansky, Paul. “Idle Chatter.” (1985) (MP2 - 1.1 MB)

Stockhausen, Karlheinz. “Gesang der Jünglinge.” (1955-1956) Stockhausen Edition no. 3.

Monk, Meredith. “Hey Rhythm.” Our Lady of Late. Wergo, 1997.

Babbitt, Milton. “Phonemena.” (1975). Joan Heller, soprano; Thomas Stumpf, piano. To the Verge. Neuma Records, 1995.

(PDF)
12 4.3: student choice Selected by the students.  
13 4.4: interaction, process, classical

Compulsory

Tcherepnin, Ivan. “Santur Opera II.” (1977)

Child, Peter. “Ensemblance” (1982). Electro Acoustic Music II. Luca Paccagnella, Boston Musica Viva, Richard Pittman. Neuma 1995.

Babbitt, Milton. “Reflections.” (1975) Performed by Aleck Karis. Secret Geometry. New World Records NWCR707, 2007 (reissue of CRI release).

Feldman, Morton. Excerpt from “Triadic Memories.” (1981). Marilyn Nonken, piano. Feldman Edition 8: Triadic Memories. Mode 136, 2004.

Thaemlitz, Terre. “Aunty Eddie’s Pussy.” Maschinelle Stratageme. Ritornell / Mille Plateaux, 2000.

Davidovsky, Mario. “Synchronisms no. 6 for piano and tape.” (1970). Aleck Karis, et al. The Music of Mario Davidovsky, Vol. 3. Bridge, 2005.

Young, LaMonte. Excerpt from The Well — Tuned Piano 81 x 25. Gramavision, 1988.

Stockhausen, Karlheinz. “Studie II.” (1954) Stockhausen Edition No. 3.

(PDF)
Module 5: sampling, remixing, polishing
14 5.1: plunderphonics etc.

In lab

John Oswald/Dolly Parton. “Pretender.” Plunderphonic. 1989.

Kagel, Maurizio. “Exotica (for non-European instruments)” (1970 -1971); and “Tactil” (1970). Exotica / Tactil. Deutsche Grammophon, 1994.

Björk/Funkstörung. “All Is Full Of Love (In Love With Funkstörung Remix).” Fat Cat Records, 1999.

Caetano Veloso/Gilberto Gil. “Rap Popcreto.” Tropicalia 2. Nonesuch, 1994.

Matto, Cibo. “Beef Jerky.” Viva! La Woman. Warner, 1996.

Quasimoto. “Astro Travellin.” The Unseen. Stones Throw, 2000.

Murs. “Sunsprayed Ft 3MG.” Comurshul. Veritech Records, 1996. (cassette-only release)

John Oswald/J. S. Bach. “Aria (from The Goldberg Variations).” Plunderphonic. 1989.

Sonami, Laetitia. “Overture On Ice.” Messiah Remix. Cantaloupe Music, 2004.

Stockhausen, Karlheinz. “Telemusik.” (1966) Stockhausen Edition No. 9.

 

Course Info

Instructor
As Taught In
Spring 2008
Learning Resource Types
Activity Assignments with Examples
Music