Performance Practice in Computer Music

Abstract

My interest in electronic music was first inspired by Mario Davidovsky's Synchronisms no. 6 for piano and tape. Since then, I have been including electronic music in my musical activities, along with my classical violin repertoire. Electroacoustic music has only recently become part of the contemporary repertoire; consequently, the teaching and discussion of performance practice by actual performers has been scarce. I hope to contribute to the evolving performance practice of electroacoustic music for classical performers. It is important that musicians today learn how to perform electroacoustic music, and address the potential of this new media. A working knowledge of electroacoustic music performance practice should be part of a contemporary repertoire. I also hope to make musicians and electronic-music composers aware of the particular difficulties of performing with electronics. Ideally, this article will stimulate more study in electronic-music performance, and provoke a greater sense of responsibility for aural effects and sound production in live-performance situations.