DESCRIPTION:
Program Notes:
In this duet, the Machine assumes a simple, direct performative role, “listening” and responding to the flutist’s performance. The computer outlines a long downward frequency sweep, the arc of which follows closely the flute’s musical activity. Whenever the flute pauses, the audio simultaneously halts its singular progression and begins to disintegrate. The flutist, in turn, responds to both the arc and the disintegrating texture, shaping her performance in response to the computer’s “movements.” Though simple in its procedure, the result is not an instrumental solo “with electronics,” but a fully interactive duet in which the performers - one human, one not - listen and respond to one another. This is the germinal work produced by “The Machine is Neither…”.

Performed August 3, 2014 at Constellation Chicago, Frequency Series.

Flute and Gestural Control: Emma Hospelhorn
Composer and Programmer: Ben Sutherland

For Kinect, Macbook Pro running Max and Synapse, C Flute and Alto Flute.