Three Pieces for Musicians and Computer: Rameaux, Nature Morte, Moiré.

• Main Author: Welch, Chapman
• Other Authors: May, Andrew, 1968-
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 2008
• Subjects: electro-acoustic music; Interactive; flute; clarinet; percussion; computer; chamber music; electronic music; Bass flute and computer music.; Computer and percussion music.; Clarinet and computer music.
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc9723/

Three Pieces for Musicians and Computer implements a modular formal structure that allows the performers to experiment with the order and number of movements to arrive at their ideal combination. The piece is a collection of three solo works: Rameaux, Nature Morte, and Moiré for bass flute with b-foot, metal percussion (vibraphone, glockenspiel, and crotales), and clarinet (A and B-flat instruments) respectively. In addition to the original versions, an alternate version of each piece is included. The alternate versions add new performance elements to the original works: live electronics in Rameaux and Nature Morte and an acoustic quintet (flute, viola, percussion, piano and harp) in Moiré. These additions reframe the original works by introducing new harmonic, timbral, and formal connections and possibilities. The compositional process of Three Pieces relies on the notion of Germinal Elements, which are defined as the set of limited, distinct, and indivisible materials used in the creation of the work. Though Germinal Elements are indivisible, they undergo a type of developmental process through expansion and contraction, which is an increase or a decrease in the range or scope of any musical parameter (time, pitch, density, dynamic, duration, etc.) or set of parameters. Analysis of this cycle of works reveals a variety of recombinations of four GE's as well as processes of expansion and contraction applied to multiple parameters of each GE to generate formal relationships within and between works. Two electronics systems, the delay/harmonizer instrument and the live performance system are described both in technical and musical terms with specific examples given to show how the electronics influence and expand both the surface material and the formal structure of the work.