Christopher Adler: Signals Intelligence
Signals Intelligence explores the experience of hearing an electronic transmission in which order is clearly audible but the information density is too high for a human to parse. The experience is one of being made aware of that which is always just out of reach, just beyond comprehension. Two related algorithms are employed to generate melodic material using from one to six pitches. One algorithm generates a self-similar series that replicates itself when played at different speeds, in effect comprising a mensuration canon in compound melody. The second algorithm generates a self-similar series that is also non-retrogradable (identical when played in reverse order). The results are applied to six indefinitely pitched objects chosen by the performer. The solo version was composed concurrently with the ensemble version, which was commissioned by the Duke University Department of Music for the Milestones 2002 Festival.



