Two approaches to relationality in experimental notation

Abstrakti

Written by artist-researchers whose musical upbringing is in Western classical music, this article contributes to the ongoing discourse reflecting on norms of music creation and performance, specifically in terms of authenticity, agency, and ways of knowing. We approach these challenges through the discussion of our respective research projects addressing experimental notation practices. These projects answer similar needs and challenges through differing practical approaches.

Our approaches to experimental notation challenge common attitudes within institutionalised classical music by emphasising sound and listening as inherently relational in terms of time and space. Through our compositional processes, we show two possible paths: modifying pre-existing conventional musical notation through a strong emphasis on listening-based music performance, and reframing composing and performing as ongoing negotiation between materials and agents.

We wish to redress disparities in our tradition’s practice by rejecting the monistic, authoritarian perspective we find ethically and creatively harmful to our field. Instead, we argue for plural, simultaneous approaches and knowledges that hold conventional or experimental ways of music-making as valuable in their own rights. We thus provide more points of access to engaging with works in our canon, and enrich the possibilities of contributing to both the preservation and development of Western classical music.