Études for live-electronics
Project-related website: https://iwk.mdw.ac.at/hofmann/peek-etudes/
| Project number: | FWF AR 743 |
| Project lead: | Alex Hofmann, PhD |
| Research facility: | Department of Music Acoustics (IWK) University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna |
| Project start: | Foreseen Fall 2022 |
| Project end: | 2025 |
| Scientific areas: |
70% 604 Arts 15% 102 Computer Sciences 15% 503 Educational Sciences |
| Keywords: |
live-electronics, contemporary electronic music, new interfaces for musical expression, computer music, skill acquisition |
| Project data: | Tba |
Network of national and international collaborations:
- Karlheinz Essl – Department for Composition, Electro-acoustics and Sound Engineering (mdw)
- Andrew McPherson – Queen Mary, University of London (UK)
- Joachim Heintz – Institute for New Music Incontri at the University of Music, Drama and Media Hanover (DE).
- Marko Ciciliani – Institute for Electronic Music and Acoustics (IEM) of the Arts University in Graz (AT)
- Julia Mihály – HfMDK Frankfurt (DE)
- Martin Kaltenbrunner – Tangible Music Lab at the University of Art and Design in Linz (AT)
- Bernt Isak Wærstad – Norwegian University for Science and Technology (NO)
- Luong Hue Trinh – composer, performer (VN)
- Joseph Kamaru aka KMRU – sound artist, composer performer (KE)
- Constanza Piña aka Corazon de Robota – hardware hacker, performer (CL)
- Nyokabi Kariũki – sound artist, composer, performer (KE)
- Kostia Rapoport – composer, performer (DE)
- Labdi Ommes – composer, performer (KE)
- Astrid Bin – Bela.io (DE)
- Susanne Gerhard – Cultural Programme Office, Goethe-Institute Nairobi (KE)
- Valerie-Ann Tan – Goethe-Institut Singapore (SG)
Abstract:
Wider arts-based research context:
Études for live-electronics is an artistic research project that aims to re-define the western classical music-influenced concept of études, by applying it to the diverse practices in the field of electronic music performance, where most live-electronic practitioners (LEP) are simultaneously instrument developer, interface designer, composer, and performer. Practising études is a fun method to gain skills on acoustic instruments. However, with electronic instruments, the interface and the sound generator are decoupled, interchangeable, and instrument parts can even be driven algorithmically. Thus, the skills required by each LEP are unique, and research on knowledge transfer in electronic music performance is subsequently needed, a shortcoming, that is often discussed in the community for New Interfaces for Musical Expression.
Objectives:
With the overall aim to develop an agile concept of études, we will test the hypothesis that its core element – the encounter with a problem through repetition and slight variation – can be transferred to a multi-culturally driven, collaborative research procedure, that facilitates knowledge exchange through the practice of live-electronic music performance creation. Our goal is to build a community of key agents in the field that will study the acquisition and transference of skills and implement actions to share this knowledge.
Approach:
With cyclically recurring, artistic experiments in collaboration with practitioners from diverse backgrounds, such as sound artist KMRU aka Joseph Kamaru (Kenya), composer Luong Hue Trinh (Vietnam), music technologist Bernt I. Wærstad (Norway) and interaction designer Astrid Bin (UK), we will explore new methods to create skill-derived electronic instruments, historically-informed repertoire and collaborative live-electronic performances. For a multi-cultural perspective, the artistic research team will be in dialog with local music scenes in East Africa, Southeast Asia and Europe, giving public workshops and concerts in collaboration with international partner institutions. From the data collected during these actions, we will formulate a new understanding of études, applicable to live-electronic instruments of the 21st century.
Innovation:
This project will lead to methodological innovations for the development of electronic instruments and related repertoire, represents the first long-term investigation of how LEPs develop embodied knowledge with electronic instruments, and will, furthermore, explore new forms for the preservation of computer music works, by establishing an active musical live-performance practice around them.
Primary staff involved:
The project will run under the supervision of Alex Hofmann, working together with two PhD students at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw), in a strong collaboration with Karlheinz Essl from the Department for Composition (mdw).
Funded by