(compMus1) Graphic Composition – Graphic Listening

YouTube videos are available for Xenakis’ Mycenae-Alpha (on the listening list) and Ligeti’s Artikulation (not on the list, but a good piece to listen to).

For Mycenae-Alpha, Xenakis composed using graphic notation. Line drawings were entered into a computer directly (from an early tablet-like device) and translated into sounds. The score is traditional, in the sense that it represents realization instructions (performance instructions) to perform the piece. The video scrolls through the score as the music plays.

The score for Artikulation is simply a graphic representation of the music. It was created after the piece was created as a guide for listening, or even study of the piece. Any other person could have created an equally valid graphic representation of the piece in this way. The video also scrolls through the score. Notice how certain symbols represent certain sounds, and that this is consistent throughout. The score contains an invented notation system, which works for this piece, but not necessarily for any other piece.


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One response to “(compMus1) Graphic Composition – Graphic Listening”

  1. […] Graphic Listening Published April 3, 2009 Listening Study 0 Comments The Youtube video that Dean posted was very useful in seeing the structure of Xenakis’ music. Here are some more courtesy of Keith Kothman. […]

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