Real-Time Composition As a Strategy for the 21St Century Composer
Escola Superior de Música e das Artes do Espectáculo Real-Time Composition as a Strategy for the 21st Century Composer Óscar Rodrigues A dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Composition and Music Theory supervised by Prof. Dimitris Andrikopoulos September 27, 2016 Abstract Real-Time Composition, despite being a term commonly used in computer music and free improvisation circles, is also one whose definition is not clear. This dissertation aims to, in seeking and attempting its conceptualisation, permit a deeper look at the core of the activity of western classical music making. By discussing the concepts and current views on composition, improvisation, musical work, interpretation and performance, we will propose a working definition that will later serve as a model for music making; one that involves both the composer and performers, influenced by their context, as creators. This model borrows heavily from Walter Thompson’s Soundpainting technique. We will then analyse the outcome of three different concerts, of increasing complexity and level of control, that resulted from the previous discussion and end by concluding that Real-Time Composition is, in fact, fundamentally different from improvisation, and an extension of western classical music practice. Keywords: real-time composition, improvisation, soundpainting Abstract A Composição em Tempo Real, apesar de ser um termo regularmente utilizado nos cír- culos da música electrónica e da improvisação livre, não tem uma definição clara. Esta dissertação tem como objectivo, ao procurar a sua conceptualização, perceber de forma mais profunda o núcleo da actividade produtiva da música clássica ocidental. Ao discutir os con- ceitos e entendimentos correntes de composição, improvisação, obra musical, interpretação e performance, será proposta uma definição operacional que irá posteriormente servir como modelo para a criação musical; este modelo envolve tanto compositores como intérpretes, influenciados pelo seu contexto, enquanto criadores.
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