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Ergodynamics and a semiotics of instrumental composition

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posted on 2023-06-09, 15:07 authored by Thor MagnussonThor Magnusson
This article examines the techno-philosophical aspects of how we create and understand musical systems in twenty-first century computational media. Arguing that processor-based media have exploded the compositional language of new music, the article proposes a set of concepts that might help us navigating this new space of musical possibilities. The term ‘ergodynamics’ – with related concepts – is presented as a helpful notion when describing the phenomenological, historical, and aesthetic aspects of musical instruments, as well as a lens for looking at new compositional practices that can be defined as being either ‘idiomatic’ or ‘supra-instrumental.’ The article explores the difference in composing for acoustic, electronic, and digital instruments, and suggests that new musical practice can be characterised by a move from composing work to inventing systems.

Funding

Sonic Writing: Technologies of Musical Expression, Notation and Encoding; G1769; AHRC-ARTS & HUMANITIES RESEARCH COUNCIL; AH/N00194X/1

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Tempo

ISSN

0040-2982

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Issue

287

Volume

73

Page range

41-51

Department affiliated with

  • Music Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-09-17

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-09-17

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-09-16

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