Karlheinz Essl

Inventing and Performing Live-Electronics

Lecture/Recital

Final symposium of the FWF-PEEK project Études for Live-Electronics
University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw)
2025

Abstract

Since 1985 I have been working with computers in the fields of instrumental and electroacoustic composition, generative sound installations and multimedia performances. The computer has become an integral part of my creative process as a tool for reflection and experimentation. Instead of just using off-the-shelf software designed for mainstream use, I felt the need to program the computer myself in order to express my own ideas without being distracted by alien concepts. For me, programming is a critical method of gaining knowledge, and so the computer became a kind of mirror reflecting the consequences of my abstract thinking. This led to the development of software for musical composition and performance, mostly written in Max and distributed through my website (2).

In 2008 I began a series of "live electronic etudes" called Sequitur, written for various solo instruments such as violin, trombone, voice, electric guitar, or toy piano. Each piece in this 14-part cycle consists of a precisely notated score and a computer program that can be controlled by the performers. Although each score is completely individual and tailored to the specific instrument and its playing techniques, the core of the software is based on a similar algorithm with some specific variations.

A new era began in 2022, when I went through a severe creative crisis, not least because of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the anxiety that it caused. I felt the need to start from scratch in order to explore new and unknown horizons. This eventually led me to non-digital methods of creating music without software and computers and resulted in a shift from digital to analog.

After some frustrating experiences with commercial synthesizers that didn't allow me to realize my artistic visions, I discovered a more experimental approach with modular synthesizers and feedback systems. To explore this further, I have begun the work-in-progress Coastlines - an ongoing series of live electronic etudes documented on YouTube - which I will present at the end of my talk.

Updated: 18 Feb 2025