COMPEL Omeka Dev

Browse Items (868 total)

  • Chaos has a theory. Despite the implications of the word itself, the study of chaos has revealed that there is a high degree of order (and predictable disorder) in the places where we have observed chaos. Research in this field has lead to insights into turbulence, the formation of snowflakes and galaxies, and the rhythm of our own heartbeats. In fact, one might say that natural order itself is ruled by chaos. It quite literally surrounds us.

    Simple systems can easily be described with simple equations. (Think of linear equations from high school). Therefore, it was always believed that complex systems, such as the one finds in nature, would require equally complex mathematics to describe. Remarkably, this is not true. Complex chaotic systems can be described with astonishingly simple equations. The complexity of nature is great, but it is perhaps even more wonderful to note that the logic which balances it all is in essence elementary.

    Simply put, sliced attractor is chaotic music in this sense. It is complex music that is achieved through simple means. A simple (but chaotic) pattern permeates the piece and is found at all levels of magnitude, yet it is used to generate a high degree of complexity. This music is orderly in its disorder, predictably unpredictable, and simply complex.

  • Following the loss of a loved one, this piece attempts to capture that je ne sais quoi of someone dear. In a sea of similar pitch collections, a single chord answers.

  • Uses source material from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport and from interviews on Stary Arbat in Moscow and two professional actresses. Includes modified music of Glazinov and Khachaturian.

  • I was inspired to write this piece after attending a Colorado Symphony Orchestra performance of only Claude Debussy works. In that spirit, the piece uses only the notes and harmonies found in the whole-tone scales, starting in E whole-tone and ending in D-flat whole –tone.

    Shaula: The Sting of Scorpius is a reference to the final star that makes the point of the stinger in the constellation Scorpius. The story of Scorpio is that the great Greek hunter Orion was on a hunting excursion with Apollo and Artemis. While on their journey Orion boasted that he was such a great hunter that he would kill every animal there was to prove himself. Apollo was the Greek God of animals and was so upset by this threat that he created Scorpio, a giant scorpion, to kill Orion. In one version of the tale the scorpion kills Orion, in another Artemis accidentally shoots Orion with an arrow trying to defend him from the scorpion. Both Orion and the giant scorpion were preserved in the stars by Zeus to remember their great battle.

  • Based upon selected words by David Trinidad and Tim Dlugos. Premiered at the University of Colorado-Denver, March 24, 1995. Additional performances at the Community College of Aurora and Colorado College.

  • This is essentially a solo snare piece, though a few other ancillary instruments are called for. An audio exciter, controlled by an onstage laptop, directly vibrates the head of the drum.

  • A tape piece featuring the intricacies of a service bell.

  • Recorded from a Casio 1000-P synthesizer, the work is in 3 movements.
Output Formats

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If you see an error or would like to add content to COMPEL, please leave a comment or contact Hollis Wittman at hollisw@vt.edu.