SQ2



Turowski, Paul ORCID: 0000-0002-9471-5183
(2019) SQ2. [Composition]

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SQ2 - Ligeti Quartet.mp4 - Unspecified
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Abstract

SQ2 is a multiplayer digital game piece for any quartet of performers that are capable of producing sustained pitch with at least a one-octave range and varying degrees of loudness. Players take control of luminescent orbs via four discrete input channels of live audio. When a player makes sound, their corresponding orb creates circular pulses of energy, which collide with nearby objects and cause the player's orb to jump diagonally. By sustaining a sound with a particular pitch class (indicated to the player with color, shape, letter, and electronically-produced sounds), energy pulses can be tuned to resonate with particular targets. Overall density of sound-production is controlled via limited ‘stamina’, which also guides in-game and musical progression. Players are asked to always be thinking musically (rather than just focusing on trying to complete the game as efficiently as possible). This continual negotiation between musical score and game score is a unique feature of this kind of game-based performance piece. SQ2 is part of a progressive investigation by the author into digital game-based scores and is novel in that four players simultaneously shape the sounding score and facilitate growth within the virtual world. While some elements of the score—e.g. overall form—are prescribed, players are free to decide how lower-level patterns—e.g. rhythm, melody, rate of progression—will develop over time. Players also collectively choose when to end the piece. SQ2 has been developed iteratively in collaboration with the Ligeti String Quartet, who have realized the piece at the Open Circuit Festival 2019 and again during the Lunchtime Concert series in October 2020 (See publication link). The piece was also performed at the international TENOR 2019 conference in Melbourne, Australia at Monash University. A video for performers, which provides more details about mechanics and functionality, is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BC3caaiGXjk

Item Type: Composition
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 26 Oct 2020 15:49
Last Modified: 18 Jan 2023 23:26
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3104992