Future Music (13 Jun 19)
THU 13 JUN 2019
Part of Sounds Original?
Last September, we opened up the debate about what ‘originality’ means or, indeed, if it actually exists or is possible to achieve. Now, 10 months later, as we approach the end of our Sounds Original? season, we consider what ‘originality’ might look like into the future.
Future Music looks at current developments in new music and technology – Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Live Coding and more besides – asking what possibilities lie ahead for the music creators of the future.
This will be a day of cutting-edge ideas, performances, demos and debate and a chance to consider the age we live in – questioning not just the impact of machines on music but also on us as people.
1pm – 2pm (drop – in) // Lower Concourse
DEMO: DIY AI
Generate AI-produced music, in this open demonstration led by composer and AI researcher Robert Laidlow.
2pm – 2.15pm // Studio 8
FUTURE MUSIC?
Mathematician and author of his latest book The Creativity Code Marcus du Sautoy offers an opening provocation.
2.30pm – 3.30pm // RNCM Concert Hall
VIRTUAL REALITY +
Composer and VR researcher Jonathan Packham presents some of the latest research in Virtual Reality headset scoring, including new works scored using VR by Jonathan himself, and RNCM composers.
Jonathan Packham SECRET ANIMALS
Deni Teo cello
Tywi Roberts and Bofan Ma Dying Archon #rulingwheel$1
Simeon Evans saxophone
Stephen Bradshaw Panoptic #1 for piano, timpani, CCTV cameras and motion sensors
Athanasia Kontou piano
Darren Gallacher timpani
4pm – 4.45pm // Studio 8
LIVE CODING
Data musician and live coder Shelly Knotts leads this workshop/talk/performance on the latest developments in live coding.
Tywi Roberts Active Restraint for Sonic Pi and piano
Aaron Breeze piano
A recording of the live stream can be found here.
5.30pm – 6.15pm // Studio 1
MUSICAL ROBOTS
Led by Nicholas Moroz, the pioneering Explore Ensemble showcase Patricia Alessandrini’s robotic piano machine, and perform a new work by Zakiya Leeming.
Zakiya Leeming At the Node of Ranvier
Patricia Alessandrini Tracer la lune d’un doigt
Explore Ensemble:
Taylor Maclennan flute
Alex Roberts clarinet
Sarah Park piano
David Lopez violin
Morag Robertson viola
Deni Teo cello
Nicholas Moroz electronics, co-founder, artistic director
6.30pm – 7:15pm // Studio 8
DISCUSSION: WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?
Applied Futurist Tom Cheesewright joins the day’s contributors Jonathan Packham, Shelly Knotts and CEO of national new music charity Sound and Music Susanna Eastburn as they share their visions for the future of music creation.
Panel:
Tom Cheesewright (chair) Applied Futurist
Jonathan Packham composer
Shelly Knotts data musician
Susanna Eastburn CEO, Sound and Music
A recording of the live stream can be found here.
7.30pm – 9pm // RNCM Concert Hall
THE VOICE OF THE MACHINE
Mathematician, author and broadcaster Marcus du Sautoy joins composers Emily Howard, Nicholas Moroz and Robert Laidlow in this introduction to the latest developments in AI and new music, featuring performances of new works incorporating AI technology, discussion, and an interactive Turing test – can you tell the difference between genuine Bach and AI-generated Bach?
This event showcases the ongoing research work of the RNCM Centre for Practice and Research in Science and Music (PRiSM). For further information about PRiSM please see here.
Turing Test
Aaron Breeze piano
Nicholas Moroz bot.radio
Robert Laidlow Three Entistatios for Chamber Ensemble
RNCM New Ensemble
RNCM New Ensemble
Jack Sheen conductor
Isabella Baker, William McGahon violins
Peter Hartley viola
Malcolm Goodare cello
Danny Vassallo double bass
Seb Marshall clarinet
Eleanor Mills bassoon
Sarah Austen soprano/alto saxophone
Victoria Schofield horn
Bethan Plant trumpet
Alexander Walker, Leonardo Caleffi percussion
Post-concert (drop – in) // Lower Concourse
DEMO: DIY AI
Generate AI-produced music, in this open demonstration led by composer and AI researcher Robert Laidlow.
BIOGRAPHIES
Robert Laidlow
Robert Laidlow is a composer and performer based in London and Manchester.
Marcus du Sautoy
Marcus du Sautoy is author of the best-selling popular mathematics book “The Music of the Primes”. He is the Charles Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at the Oxford University.
Stephen Bradshaw
Stephen is a composer and sound designer, studying at the RNCM.
Tywi Roberts
Bofan Ma
Bofan Ma is a Research student working on projects with the Experimental/Exploratory Music Research Centre (EEMRC) at the RNCM.
Jonathan Packham
Jonathan Packham is a composer, researcher and performer of contemporary music based in Oxford, UK.
Shelly Knotts
Shelly Knotts is a composer, performer and improvisor of live electronic, live coded and network music.
Nicholas Moroz
Nicholas Moroz is a composer, researcher, and electronic music performer, currently based in London and Oxford. He is the artistic director of Explore Ensemble.
Explore Ensemble
Explore Ensemble voyages towards the radical frontiers of new music, offering audiences outstanding performances of internationally acclaimed composers, advocating music rarely heard in the UK, and fostering music for the future by working closely with young composers.
Zakiya Leeming
Manchester-based composer Zakiya Leeming is undertaking her PhD in composition at the Royal Northern College of Music where she studies with David Horne and Emily Howard.
Tom Cheesewright
Futurist speaker Tom Cheesewright is one of the UK’s commentators on technology and tomorrow.
Susanna Eastburn
Susanna Eastburn is the Chief Executive of Sound and Music (www.soundandmusic.org).
For full biog see here
Emily Howard
Emily Howard’s music is known for its particular connection with science. She is a Professor of Composition at the RNCM and Director of PRiSM, the RNCM Centre for Practice & Research in Science & Music.
