Read program highlights from the Fall 1999
modern music guest recital and lecture with Dr. Harry Bulow and Dr. Mark
Applebaum.
During the 1998-99 Academic Year, the
Center for Music Technology was host to pioneers such as American composer
Rodney Waschka and electric cellist Jeffrey Krieger. In his guest lecture, Dr. Waschka discussed the techniques of algorithmic composition and its application to both electronic and acoustic instruments. Waschka spoke of grammatical, genetic, and karplus-strom algorithms, and demonstrated their usage in music composition. The composer's guest recital consisted of music for electronic tape (both solo and accompanied), as well as music for piano and clarinet. A uniqueness of his music is that, although the composer utilizes the algorithmic processes that are typically identified with electronic music, a majority of his works are scored for acoustic instruments.
Electric cellist Jeffrey Krieger visited the department for a
second time in November of 1998 and delivered an astoudingly well-received
guest recital. The program consisted of music by award-winning orchestral
composer Donald Erb, as well as RU faculty composer Dr. Bruce P. Mahin.
Mr. Krieger combines the electric 'cello (which looks like a work of
modern art in its construction) with pedal controllers and a computer
interface (consisting largely of programs, written by the performer,
in the MAX programming language) in order to achieve a level of musical
control that opens up previously unheard of performance possibilities.
In addition, this interace allows for a large palette of unusual and
unconventional sound sources. His work is truly cutting-edge as he paves
the way for a new school of performers in electronic music.
The Radford
University Digital
Ensemble resumed regular rehearsals in late
August, 2000. The group will be undertaking new
repertiore by composers Miles Davis, Bela Bartok and Robert
Fripp. Past performances have included works by Samuel Barber, Vince
Guaraldi, John Williams, Frank Zappa, Bruce Mahin, John Hildreth and
several student composers. The 1999-2000 concert
season was a smashing success for the group --
read the program
notes and check out some mp3 recordings! Stay tuned to
this site for news on the ensemble, including the upcoming
release of a compact disc recording in Autumn 2000.
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