Music and Science join forces in ‘Random Walks: Xenakis and Beyond’

Featuring the music of Iannis Xenakis in Toronto and Waterloo.

Xenakis is renowned for bringing together expertise in music, architecture and math in a remarkable collection of works. As one of the pioneers of computer music Xenakis explored algorithmic approaches to composition and was known for expanding sound worlds of traditional ensembles (to the point of competing with electronic music), and especially for his expansive use of percussion instruments. His works and ideas have inspired generations of composers since. 

On Friday, May 24, 2013 the JACK Quartet debuts in Toronto performing Xenakis’ complete string quartet along with the McGill Percussion Ensemble, U of T Percussion Ensembles and TorQ Percussion along with a concert of electroacoustics, video and robotic performers with lectures by experts on Xenakis’ music.

On Satruday, May 25, 2013 join us in Waterloo for three performances and a panel session. We start with a noon hour concert featuring visual/sonic experiences in works employing algorithmic processes produced by software developed by the composers themselves. A surround-sound octaphonic sound system and projection screen will feature works by Iannis Xenakis and Edgar Varese, Curtis Roads, Jim Harley and (in a rare tri-screen performance in Waterloo) Jean Piche. Arne Eigenfeldt brings his Karmetik NotomotoN robotic eighteen-armed robotic percussionist to join percussionist Richard Burrows in a performance where human improvisation interacts with a responsive system.

Following the noon hour concert, a panel of composers will discuss their algorithmic music with scientists from the three science institutes who sponsored this festival.  Markov models, generative grammar, chaos and self-similar systems, and artifical intelligence as tools for controlling a range of musical parameters, from large quantities of grains of sound to large-scale compositional decisions.  Join artists Rob Wannamaker (California), Jean Piche (Montreal), Arne Eigenfeldt (Vancouver) and Jim Harley (Kitchener) in a discussion with Raymond Laflamme (Institute for Quantum Computing), Laurent Freidel (Perimeter Institute) and John Mighton (Fields Institute).

In Xenakis’ monumental PERSEPHASSA you will be surrounded by the colourful sounds masterfully played by TorQ percussion quartet joined by Aiyun Huang and Morris Palter. In Xenakis' work, space becomes a musical parameter and the sounds of the environment blend with music to create a unique experience.

Our final concert features the cutting edge JACK quartet coming out of Europe and North America, anchored by John Cage's classic 1951 String Quartet in Four Parts. Cage's work was written at a time when his explorations into musical indeterminacy mirrored Xenakis' explorations into musical probability. Rob Wannamaker's work is a study in tuning and musical perception, while the Hans Abramasen and Helmut Lachemann works present state of the art avant-gardism from Europe, an array of colours and gestures sure to astonish. The JACK quartet one of the most exciting young quartets performing anywhere - their interpretations of the music of Xenakis and like-minded composers have garnered them strong reviews and sold out houses throughout the world.

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