http://home.datacomm.ch/straub/
Switzerland
From 1984 to 1989, I studied mathematics and computer science at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH). During this time I came in contact with the amazing mathematical music theories of Guerino Mazzola which fascinated me right away - one reason being the possibility to combine my profession with music, one of my great private passions. I then had the opportunity to write my thesis in this field. Nowadays it has been some years since I left the university; mathematics as well as music are now just hobbies - and not the least important effect of mathematical music theory is now that it has inspired me to some of my recent musical compositions. “Asîmchômsaia” is the most recent example.
C64 Random Impression:
The pieces entitled “C64 Random Impression” are some old stuff - not mathematical yet. They are the result of some simple experiments in algorithmic composition that I did on the Commodore 64. The melody-generating algorithm is quite simple, more or less random choices out of a given set of pitches. All pitches are chosen from a whole-tone scale so everything is more or less harmonic; the result is slightly impressionistic. Because of the simple algorithm, the piece tends to become boring after a certain time when listened to “actively” - but it does not badly as background. Commodore 64 enthusiasts will probably like it :-).
Asîmchômsaia:
This piece is my first successful experiment in the realm of microtonality. It uses a 5-EDO scale, i.e. one octave is split into five equal parts. Besides, the meter is 5/8 - hence every bar is a 5x5 grid, which gives me a number of slightly crazy mathematical possibilities to vary motifs. Z5xZ5 being a vector space, any two 3-element motifs whose elements are in general position can be mapped unto each other by an affine transformation, and then arbitrary affine transformations can be applied in the way that classical composers use inversions and retrogrades without the result sounding too strange. I also made heavy use of orbits, i.e. starting with a tone and then repeatedly applying the same affine transformation until a reached the starting point again. The patterns of the drums and the accompaniment are mainly orbits.
C64 Random Impressions:
Software for the Commodore 64, written by Hans Straub. The sound programming is mainly in assembler, with a basic program around, which also does the melody generation.
Asîmchômsaia:
E-Magic Sound Diver (to retune my synth), pencil and paper (to calculate the transformations and orbits).
License: Creative Commons: Attribution-Sharealike
C64 Random Impressions:
C64 Random Impression 1
C64 Random Impression 2
Asîmchômsaia:
Asîmchômsaia