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Critical Point.

In 2009 I was invited to Carnegie Mellon University as Visiting Scholar, where I had the honor and pleasure of working with computer scientist and musician Roger Dannenberg.

I created a C++ program (using the amazing toolkit openFrameworks), that listens to the music and responds to it and to context orders sent by the computer in charge of the audio processing.

In Dannenberg’s words:

Critical Point is written for solo cello and interactive computer music system with four-channel sound system. The computer records and transforms the cello sounds in various ways. The piece and the sound manipulations are completely composed, but since there is no prerecorded sound, the performer can play expressively, and the computer can adapt to the live performer. Essentially all of the sounds originate with the acoustic cello. At one section, the performer speaks or sings, and the vocal sounds are used to transform the cello sound into a speech-like vowel sounds.

The animation also responds directly to the cello sound and changes in predetermined ways according to a composed plan that is synchronized with the music. The animation is inspired by the work of Rob Fisher.

Critical Point is dedicated to the memory of Rob Fisher, a sculptor, media artist, and friend.

Below there is a video of a performance at Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble (July 11, 2009), (sadly, the video is somewhat lacking bright and contrast).

Credits:

Critical Point for Cello and Live Interactive Computer Music and Animation. Roger Dannenberg, composer; Tomas Laurenzo, animation and software; Norbert Lewandowski, cello. Performed by the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble at City Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Kevin Noe, Music Director; Chris McGlumphy, Audio Recording; Andy Ostrowski, Lighting Designer. July 11, 2009.

Critical Point – July 11, 2009, Pittsburgh from Roger Dannenberg on Vimeo.

The audiovisual piece has been shown in Pittsburgh, USA; Atlanta, USA; and Canberra, Australia.