Projects:
Overview:
These projects are part of an ongoing investigation into modular forms, recombinant properties, and recontextualization—issues that have occupied my compositional interests since the 1990s. My methodology has evolved over the years from a mostly deterministic approach to one that embraces nonlinearity and ateleology—an approach which is more in line with the natural systems and organic processes that form the conceptual and structural bases of much of my work. To achieve this result, I have begun to consider musical form in a more malleable and unpredictable manner through the use of concurrently unfolding modules. These units may be combined in a variety of ways, thus altering how the listener perceives the content and trajectory of each musical strand or block.
The following terms are used to define these related approaches to form:
Non-linear: characterized by a lack of directionality or causal relationships; non-teleological. This condition has as much to do with perception as it does with intent.
- Modular: comprised of independent units (modules), which may be organized in a variety of ways.
- Recombinant: materials may be combined in multiple ways, either sequentially or concurrently, often over the course of several works:
- Sequential: elements are arranged one after another; the order of this sequence may be altered, disrupting the linear flow of materials.
- Concurrent: parallel unfolding of independent musical processes or structures.
A useful metaphor for this approach to form would be Lego bricks, where the different sizes, colors, and shapes might represent varying textural, timbral, dynamic, rhythmic, and/or pitch profiles. These blocks may be combined in any number of ways, resulting in unique polymorphic hybrids.
