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Re: [microsound] minimalists:math
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Reichs "Music for 18 Musicians" is a very good example of hearing mathematics
OK Kim, but Reich has composed "Music for 18 Musicians" for acoustic
instruments, and playing acoustic instruments always includes strong
emotional input/output.
This is totally different then composing something with/for computer.
Not only that, but the opening pulse section played on woodwinds and
the parts scored for the vocalists are designed to be played "to the
limits of human breath"--hardly involving mathematics, and actually
skirting the boundaries of incorporating chance/spontaneity into a
rigorous composition.
"18" is also considered by most critics (and Reich himself) as his
first truly non-minimalist work, the piece that finally broke him out
of the cold systematic approach and saw him beginning to make purely
aesthetic and emotional choices about how a composition should
develop. Yes, there is a great degree of math involved, but there is
just as much artistic decision making going on as well; 18 is hardly
a "set up a system and let it play itself out" piece, unlike earlier
works like 4 Organs or even Drumming.
john kannenberg
http://www.stasisfield.com