The sound of gesture: Gesture as an element of manipulation in real-time electronic music for saxophone
The use of gesture is an evidence in everyday human existence. In the practice of a musical instrument, the use of gesture can be understood and explored from two points of view. If, on the one hand, it is used to manipulate the instrument in order to produce sound, on the other hand, it can be seen as an element capable of reinforcing the expressive nature of music.
The musical gesture has been used as a compositional object in real-time electronic music due to the use of sensors that captures bodily phenomena in terms of electrical signals, obtaining in this way, compatible signals for using it as an input in an interactive music system. In the context of mixed music, by adding sensors and/or gestural controllers to the body of the instrument or the instrumentalist, gesture can be used to increase the expressive potential of the instrument. This approach leads to a hybrid and multidimensional performance, in which the performer has to manage various layers of instrumental control, whether it is associated to the acoustic instrument or related to the sensors or software used in the performance. In this context, new types of gestures will emerge, and consequently they have to be incorporated into the performance.
This research project aims to reflect, from the interpreter’s point of view, on the connection and interaction between interpreter, instrument and technology, with a focus on the gesture-sound relation, through the use of gestural controllers. This relation and interaction will be reflected in the co-creation with composers, of new works for saxophone and electronics in real-time, using the gesture as an element that can enhance the expressive potential of the saxophone. In this way, the results of the co-creation work will be presented through an analysis of the pieces Touch (é), by the composer Ângela da Ponte, and Atrevido Curioso Resiste: Et siseros oiru cod iver ta, by the composer Pedro F. Sousa.
Keywords: musical gesture, multidimensional practice, mixed music
Biographies
Ricardo Pires
Ricardo has developed a work of creative collaboration that materialized in the creation of works for Saxophone and Electronics, Solo Saxophone and Saxophone and String Orchestra.
In 2023, he is presenting his new work: Windsor Project, which has the support of the GDA Foundation, Antena 2, MPMP, Revista Musical Da Capo and The Anglo Portuguese Society (London).
He performed solo with the European Union Youth Orchestra, Gulbenkian Orchestra, MPMP Orchestra, National Republican Guard Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Amicis, EPME Classical Orchestra, National Republican Guard Symphonic Band, Portuguese Symphonic Band, Lisbon Superior Music School Wind Orchestra and Lisbon Superior Music School Saxophone Ensemble.
Ricardo holds a master’s degree in music, a master’s degree in music teaching and obtained the Artist Diploma.
Ricardo is a D’Addario Woodwinds and Henri Selmer artist, musician of the GNR Symphonic Band and Saxophone teacher at the Sintra Conservatory of Music.
University of Évora, Portugal – d53290@alunos.uevora.pt
Henrique Portovedo
Henrique was awarded with a Summa Cum Lauda PhD in the field of Science and Technology of the Arts (Performance and Computer Music) at the Portuguese Catholic University funded by FCT. Portovedo was Fulbright Researcher at the University of Santa Barbara Califonia, Erasmus Researcher at the University of Edinburgh, visiting researcher at the ZKM Karlsruhe and visiting researcher at McGill University Montreal. Master in Music Performance with Distinction by Trinity Laban London and Master in Music Pedagogy by the University of Aveiro, he was awarded with several prizes including by the Portuguese National Centre of Culture and the British Society for Education Music and Psychology. As saxophonist and intermedia artist has presented multidisciplinary creations in festivals worldwide, while being soloist with some of the most relevant contemporary ensembles in Europe. Currently Portovedo is professor at University of Aveiro, Guest Professor at the Real Conservatorio Superior de Musica de Madrid and coordinator of the Creation, Performance and Artistic Research’s group at INET-md.
INET-md / University of Aveiro, Portugal – henriqueportovedo@ua.pt
Mário Dinis Marques
Mário has regularly collaborated with various prestigious orchestras, such as the Calouste Gulbenkian Orchestra and the Portuguese Symphony Orchestra, among others. His experience as a soloist includes performances with Orquestra das Beiras, Orquestra do Centro, Banda Sinfónica Portuguesa and the Banda da Armada Portuguesa.
His work has been recognised by several contemporary composers, including Daniel Bernardes, António Vitorino D’Almeida, and Eurico Carrapatoso, who have dedicated several works to him.
Currently is assistant professor in the Department of Music at the University of Évora, where he also holds the position of director of the Master’s Degree in Music Teaching. He is a founding member of the Portuguese Saxophone Association and was a member of the organizing panel for the 2nd European Saxophone Congress. Recognized as an artist with the Cannonball Saxophones brand, Mário applies his vast musical experience to research and performance practice, frequently presenting papers at academic conferences.
CESEM / University of Évora, Portugal – mdmarques@uevora.pt