Geometric Study

Composer's note:

Geometric Study is composed for solo Disklavier (computer controlled piano). I turned to Disklavier to explore some formal approaches to detailed control of continuous tempo changes (accelerando/ritard) and texture. This study is a collaboration between global algorithmic compositional processes and intuitive aesthetic responses. I wrote a program in LISP that uses two-dimensional mathematical functions to define gradually changing upper and lower bounds of dense pitch complexes. The program offers a variety of arpeggiations by means of which the ‘enclosed’ pitches may be distributed temporally. This piece represents the most pervasive use of algorithmic processes in my work to date.