Five parts reflecting a journey through I - Emergence, II - Evolution, III - Division, IV - Spring and V - Retreat

As biological systems are structured, this music follows a bio-inspired construction principle to reflect structural features at distinct, non-self-similar scales and mechanisms. Each part follows its own evolution in the flow of musical concepts, but the series of five parts in turn follow a pattern, at a larger scale. These multiple scale construction principles, rooted in variations of themes while retaining a set of order, reflects a realization of the Universality-Diversity-Principle, in musical form.  

Emergence defines the roots, and sets the foundation.  Evolution brings about change and transformation. Division reflects the fine struggle between distinct outcomes - life or death. Spring represents the victory of life.  Retreat represents the return to a dormant, cooler, state, from which emergence can commence yet again.

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Swamps are incredibly interesting ecosystems that produce variations of materials and conditions across the seasons. Interfacial in nature, they live at the division between solid and liquid, and evolve continuously. They recycle, change, and adapt, and materialize the actions of variegated species over time.

Swamp Variations: Emergence, Evolution, Division, Spring, Retreat

Swamp Variations: Emergence, Evolution, Division, Spring, Retreat 

Part of a series of 5 parts: This is Evolution.

Ambient version (reduced orchestration, focus on piano and flute, string instruments)

Swamp Variations - Part II - Evolution (((AMBIENT SPACE VERSION )))

Swamp Variations: Emergence, Evolution, Division, Spring, Retreat 

Part of a series of 5 parts: This is Spring.

Swamp Variations - Part IV - Spring

Swamp Variations: Emergence, Evolution, Division, Spring, Retreat 

Part of a series of 5 parts: This is Emergence.

Swamp Variations - Part I

Swamp Variations - Part I - Emergence

Swamp Variations: Emergence, Evolution, Division, Spring, Retreat 

Part of a series of 5 parts: This is Evolution.

Swamp Variations - Part II - Evolution

Swamp Variations: Emergence, Evolution, Division, Spring, Retreat 

Part of a series of 5 parts: This is Division.

Swamp Variations - Part III - Division

Swamp Variations: Emergence, Evolution, Division, Spring, Retreat 

Part of a series of 5 parts: This is Retreat.

Swamp Variations - Part V

Swamp Variations - Part V - Retreat

Markus J. Buehler is the McAfee Professor of Engineering at MIT, and a composer of experimental, classical and electronic music, with an interest in sonification. Using an approach termed "materiomusic", his artistic work explores the creation of new forms of musical expression - such as those derived from biological materials and living systems - as a means to better understand the underlying science and mathematics. One of his goals is to use musical and sound design as a novel and abstract way to model, optimize and create new forms of matter from the bottom up, and to assess cross-system design relationships. He is also interested in research to explore relationships between classical music, mathematics, and the physical and biological sciences, an in the mapping of models of consciousness across systems. In recent work he has developed a new framework to compose music based on proteins – the basic molecules of all life, as well as other physical phenomena such as fracturing, to explore similarities and differences across species, scales and between philosophical and physical models. 

Contact: mbuehler@MIT.EDU