S.L.Á.T.U.R. is a composer collective based in Reykjavík, Iceland. Since 2005 its members have been working on various musical experiments, exploring animated notation using computer graphics, interactivity, new approaches to sounds and tunings, performance art and the development of limited and isolated musical universes. The members share ideas and methods freely while their final results are usually independent efforts.
In ‘Composing Situations’, a four part Sounds Unheard masterclass series for secondary school musicians, we meet four composers from S.L.Á.T.U.R.: Áki Ásgeirsson, Þráinn Hjálmarsson, Páll Ivan and Jesper Pedersen. Together they’ll discuss how the collective works, touching on music-making, instrument building, collaborating, and developing new approaches to notation and performance.
In the second episode of this series, we’re taking a closer look at S.L.Á.T.U.R.’s experiments with animated notation and computer notation systems. Replacing traditional musical notation means that the composer needs to carefully consider what information needs to be passed on to the performers and the approach they’ll use, ranging from simple phone videos or powerpoint slideshows through to interactive videos coded in specialist software like Max or Pure Data. This episode looks at pieces by S.L.Á.T.U.R. members Jesper Pedersen and Charles Ross, and includes a performance of Hlynur Aðils Vilmarsson’s ‘Square Music’.
Join us on Tuesday for episode three of this series, focusing on S.L.Á.T.U.R.’s history in designing and building new instruments. For more information on S.L.Á.T.U.R., visit http://www.slatur.is/.
Tags: animated notation Composer Composing composition computer notation notation S.L.Á.T.U.R.
