The Influence of Nonlinear Dynamics and the Scaling of Multidimensional Parameter Spaces in Instrumental, Vocal and Electronic Composition

The influence of nonlinear phenomena and the scaling of multidimensional phase space will be presented as generating principles for musical composition. As will be shown, two broad applications seem to have a particularly robust potential for musical expression. The firstinvolves the use of non-linear dynamics to structure large-scale formal development, while the second directly effects local sound production and gesture. A short discussion defining nonlinear phenomena will lead to creative applications found within the following compositions: MAMRE, for solo violin, CANTOR'S DUST, for voice and electronics, DIVERGENCE, for voices and electronics, ANAPHORA, for solo voice, and, STRING QUARTET #1. In this paper, the influence of nonlinear dynamics and the scaling of multidimensional parameter spaces will be presented as generating principles for musical composition. As will be shown, two broad applications seem to have a particularly robust potential for musicalexpression. The first involves the use of non-linear dynamics to structure large-scale formal development, while the second directly effects local sound production and gesture. These influences will be demonstrated through my compositions: MAMRE, for solo violin, CANTORiS DUST, for voice and electronics, DIVERGENCE, for voices and electronics,ANAPHORA, for solo voice, and, STRING QUARTET #1