Rationale and Neurodivergence: Reflections on, and Repercussions of, the Quintessence Project

Abstract

In Autumn 2003, under a previous name, I published a research report in this journal, entitled ‘The Quintessence Project: Re-envisioning Mediæval Music through the Lens of Electroacoustic Technology.’ The report detailed the beginnings of an effort to blend historically informed performance practice (specifically of Gregorian chant) with improvisatory techniques, scaffolded by electroacoustic ‘found sound’ techniques including looping, filtering and granulation…