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On Composers and Computers

The article describes the manifold interactions between composers and computers in the creative process. Not only the computer per se, but especially the choice of a certain software and already a specific view on the musical material turns into a decisive factor in, often interlinked, generative and analytical approaches–whereby strategies of musical representation and the choice of a particular mapping are of crucial importance. Finally, it is examined how creativity can be defined and located in this creative interaction between man and machine.

PublishedApril 3, 2024
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On Composers and Computers

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Gerhard Nierhaus

Gerhard Nierhaus

About the author

Gerhard Nierhaus

Gerhard Nierhaus studied composition with Peter Michael Hamel, Gerd Kühr and Beat Furrer. Working within both traditional and contemporary digital and intermedial formats, his artistic output includes numerous works of acoustic and electronic music and visual media. He works at the Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustics (IEM) at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz (link wenn gewünscht zur meiner Seite an der KUG), Austria, and teaches Computer Music and Multimedia.

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