Signals Intelligence
General Info
Year of Published: 2002
Difficulty: Advanced
Duration: 00:05:00
Instrumentation
Player 1: 6 Wood Blocks
Player 2: 6 Cowbells
Player 3: Glockenspiel
Player 4: Vibraphone
Player 5: Marimba
Player 6: Bell Plate & Kick Drum & Concert Bass Drum
Program Notes
Signals Intelligence has a double meaning. Signals intelligence is the surveillance and collection of electronic transmissions, and now constitutes the largest component of the American security apparatus. It is ominous and omnivorous. In the search for extra terrestrial life, we scan the heavens in search of a transmission from a distant planet. Were we to ever receive such a transmission, it would signal the presence of intelligence by being ordered—non-random—and yet we would have no way to determine it’s meaning. We would be able to only listen, and wonder.
Signals Intelligence explores the experience of hearing an electronic transmission in which order is clearly audible but the information density is too high for any human to parse. The experience is one of being made aware of that which is always just out of reach, just beyond comprehension. Two related algorithms are employed to generate melodic material using from one to six pitches. One algorithm generates a self-similar series which replicates itself when played at different speeds, in effect comprising a mensuration canon in compound melody. The second algorithm generates a self-similar series which is also non-retrogradable (identical when played in reverse order). In the solo version, the results are applied to six indefinitely pitched objects, while in the ensemble version these are mapped to shifting pitch sets and presented in combination with indefinitely pitched instruments.
The ensemble version of Signals Intelligence was commissioned by the Duke University Department of Music for the Milestones 2002 Festival. The "virtuoso" solo version which combines the solo version with part 6 from the ensemble version was proposed by Kyle Forsthoff.
Recent Performance
Works for Percussion by this Composer
Sensations of Metals - Violin & Percussion
The Toy Robot's Mechanical Heart - Toy Piano & Percussion
Once, in a grove of tamarisk - Mallet Percussion Trio
Microlude in Three Primes - Percussion Quartet
Nongak - Mallet Percussion Duo
Pines Long Slept in Sunshine - Percussion Quintet
Signals Intelligence - Percussion Sextet
Strata (Adler) - Glockenspiel
Air - Glockenspiel
Cypher - Vibraphone
Motetus - Glockenspiel
Plenum Vortices - Percussion