Theory and Hypermedia for Big Science in Musicology

A one day course on Mathematical Music Theory

Date: Saturday, October 26, 1996
Location: Rutgers University, Voorhees Hall, Room 105
College Avenue Campus, New Brunswick, NJ

Sponsors: DIMACS, RUCCS
MUSIC AND MATHEMATICS

Saturday, October 26, 1996

The Rutgers Center for Cognitive Science and the Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science will present a one-day course on Mathematical Music Theory. It will be given by Guerino Mazzola, from the University of Zurich, who is acknowledged as one of the worlds leading authorities in this field. Mazzola's book "The Geometry of Tones," (Birkhauser Press) was recognized immediately as a major advance in our understanding of music. It is a complex argument involving several theorems as well as analyses of works such as Beethoven's Hammerklavier Sonata.

In addition, Mazzola has created powerful computer software for analysis and performance of music - that is available on the Internet. Also, Mazzola's composition sequencer software was recommended for commercial production by Herbert von Karajan.

Besides being an advanced mathematician and computer scientist, Mazzola is a frequently recorded jazz musician with a discography of several albums and CD's. He will be visiting the United States this October to cut another CD.

The Rutgers Center for Cognitive Science and the Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science is sponsoring a day-long course on Mathematical Music Theory from Mazzola. Besides his lectures, Mazzola will demonstrate the remarkable music composition and analysis software called RUBATO. This is a great opportunity to meet and talk with this remarkable person.

The course is free to all members of the public.

GUERINO MAZZOLA

Department of Mathematics
University of Zurich

TITLE: Theory and Hypermedia for Big Science in Musicology

ABSTRACT:

Based on modern information technology, mathematics and semiotics, SYSTEMATIC MUSICOLOGY has fundamentally changed. As a theoretical basis of this change, mathematical music theory offers a precise language and models to describe musicological facts. It is based on three factors (1) symmetry, (2) local-global gestalts and (3) the Yoneda classification by "variation of perspectives". Hypermedia implementation of the theory is an integral part of these significant developments. It turns out that the representation and control of music's inhomogeneous and semantically open data, make music a prototypical research subject asking for Big Science effort and funding in the Humanities.

We explain these developments by presenting the theory, and the computer analysis and performance platform, RUBATO(R), that has been developed at the Multimedia Lab of Zurich University. RUBATO consists of (1) a framework software, (2) three modules for rhythmical, melodic, and harmonic analysis, (3) one module for shaping performances, and (4) one module for sight-reading, (5) five modules for creating performances. RUBATO is not only an powerful research tool, its concepts and architectural constructs yield fundamental insight into the rational bases of performance. We report, for example, on the highly significant relations between RUBATO's analyses of Schumann's Kinderszene Nr.7 "Traeumerei" and the timings of famous pianists. Comparison of Argerich's and Horowitz' recordings on the basis of RUBATO's genealogical performance model yield new approaches to comparative criticism.

Our talk includes video and audio tapes/CD to illustate the software.

Time:
	Saturday, October 26, 1996 
        10am-5pm with breaks to meet other attendees 
        and exchange information on music composition,
        performance, music software, etc.

Location: Voorhees Hall, Room 105 College Ave Campus, New Brunswick. Voorhees Hall is within easy walking distance from the New Brunswick Railway Station. It can also be easily reached from the main New Jersey freeways, such as the NJ Turnpike. TO RECEIVE A MAP AND TRAVEL INFORMATION, CONTACT TRISH BY EMAIL, PHONE OR FAX, AS BELOW:

Contact: Trish Anderson e-mail: trish@ruccs.rutgers.edu phone: (908) 445-0635 fax: (908) 445-0634

Organizer: Professor Michael Leyton Rutgers Center for Cognitive Science


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Document last modified on September 19, 1996