Microtones for transformation

An ambient track featured at the end of "Human Astronomy"

Dreaming Enhasa

This polychromatic composition is an exploration and demonstration of the musical use of interactive harmonics. It is an example of the gestalt principle in the sense that the whole (output harmonics) is greater than the sum of the parts (input notes and harmonics). Aural resolution: 106 pitches per octave.

Heterodyne - an existing concept that is a closest description (not explanation) of this musical phenomena of 'extra' harmonics created in the interaction of two or more notes.

Horizon - in the sense of always evolving boundaries of awareness, exploration and understanding.

Music theory describes harmonics 'vertically', in relation to a fundamental pitch. This composition demonstrates that 'horizontal' cross-interaction occurs, creating new harmonics and unique musical textures.

Note in the middle of the composition, I am playing only 2 notes, one static and the other moving melodically. The thing to notice is that a (higher pitched) harmonic is following the melody line NOT in the same direction (high/low), as traditional harmonics do (because they are a subcomponent of the pitch), but in the OPPOSITE direction.

Next, notice a second (lower pitched) interactive harmonic, which moves in the same direction as the melody (just as traditional 'primary' harmonics do). Try also, to hear additional subtle harmonics and a further harmonic blending as the melody becomes polyphonic.

An intriguing question would be whether these interactive harmonics are measurable with an audio spectrum analyzer. More deeply, are these interactive harmonics created in a quantifiable dimension or are they a purely perceptual phenomenon; Qualia; technologically immeasurable?

Video performance available on YouTube. Polychromatic score and audio files are available for download on my website.

more information: dolorescatherino.com

- Contextual information on known phenomena:

HETERODYNE FREQUENCIES (electronics, communications engineering) and COMBINATION TONES (acoustics, psychophysics) are comprised of sum and difference tones.

SUM TONES (f1+ f2) can create a frequency octave(s) above/greater than the lower frequency (f1):
220 Hz (A3) + 293.66 Hz (D3) = 513.66 Hz (C4)

DIFFERENCE TONES (f2- f1) can create a frequency octave(s) below/less than the lower frequency (f1):
293.66 Hz (D3) - 220 Hz (A3) = 73.66 Hz (D1)

INTERACTIVE HARMONICS (music), as demonstrated here, can create other frequency intervals which are neither sum nor difference tones.

'Heterodyne Horizon'

A polychromatic composition by Dolores Catherino emphasizing pitch-color blends and multidimensional dynamic shapes. Notice the shifting, almost organic interactions happening within the pitch combinations and harmonics during the sustained chords.

...exploring a sense of vast unexplored auditory dimensions existing beneath the surface of conventional macropitch music, in the mixtures and contrasts of microtonal pitch-colors and shapes.

Engaging an emerging awareness and development of new ways of hearing music; of hearing the world in a new way.

aural resolution: 106 pitches per octave

more information: dolorescatherino.com

Polychrome Impressions - emergence

An intuitive, musical exploration of harmonic 'superspace'.

Continuing musical explorations in a journey toward the outer limits of polychromatic harmonic interactions, while maintaining a quasi-tonal orientation for conventional musical reference, as a point of departure.

This composition attempts to convey a sense that to the 3 spatial dimensions of length, width and depth, can be added a 4th dimension of auditory spacetime. That is, of duration and the evolving expression of multidimensional shapes and other qualia (immeasurable phenomena) accessible only through auditory perception.

Aural resolution: 106 pitches per octave (106ET)

more information: dolorescatherino.com

'Spatial Harmonics' - polychromatic composition by Dolores Catherino

A composition from the 90's, with fretless guitar and bass.

remember

SlipStream - sometimes, unusual ideas can catalyze a creative momentum and encourage a desire to explore new perspectives.

A use of the limitation of 16 MIDI channels, vis-à-vis random note cancellation, for a musical effect of 'convergence' - a technique creating a sense of the emergence of a smaller group of notes within the larger whole. Notice the sound of a gradual merging/converging of notes into a subset of harmonies contained within the initial sound. Listen for the effect at 1:15.

Aural resolution: 106 notes per octave

more information: dolorescatherino.com

'SlipStream' - polychromatic composition by Dolores Catherino

recurrence - a sense of déjà vu when experiencing something radically new; a feeling that time is not only linear - past, present, future... but also recurs out of linear sequence, in a kind of temporal superposition.

A polychromatic composition performed on the Microzone u648. 
Auditory resolution: 72 notes per octave

'recurrence'... polychromatic composition by Dolores Catherino

By request, a posting of one of my first polychromatic compositions with the Tonal Plexus. 106 notes per octave.

A musical journey toward hearing and expressing an undivided pitch Continuum. An immensity of auditory 'colors', conventionally condensed into 12 coarse pitch gradations of our black and white, chromatic language. 

This is a polychromatic composition utilizing 106 pitches per octave. A 'bridge' composition intended to expand aural perception and awareness of microtonal pitch 'color' and harmony within a quasi-conventional musical context.

A composition presented with the hope of expanding the traditional (absolute) conception of fixed pitch/intervals in music toward awareness of an undivided continuum of (relative) spectral pitch 'colors' and interrelationships.

... as an awareness of the infinite potential varieties of 'red' would be to a visual artist, both in isolation and within the context of the surrounding colors and illumination.

More information, polychromatic score and audio file download available at: www.dolorescatherino.com

'Toward The Continuum'

Duration - expressing the mysterious process which lies between the measured data points used in scientifically describing motion, time, space, mind etc. A temporal gestalt existing beyond the conceptual 'collapsing' of dynamic process into a succession of static measurements in numerical language; where the 'shell' (appearance) becomes increasingly clarified while the core (essence) becomes increasingly obscured.

The idea of 'duration' as a continuous, integrated process hints at aspects and qualities which are closer to the realm of art and musical expression; a perspective fundamentally different from, yet complementary to, modern quantitative and mechanistic perspectives.

On a deeper level, 'duration' demonstrates a characteristic of any language, in which the advances and limitations of understanding are bounded by the unique structure and assumptions of each. Each language represents a partial perspective, illuminating certain aspects while, at the same time, concealing and distorting others.

The subject/predicate structure of language conceptually collapses 'duration' into a sort of temporal ’ether’ within which time points/waves are measured/propagated. 

Aural resolution: 72 edo (equal divisions of the octave)
global reference pitch: Ay=432Hz
more information: dolorescatherino.com
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dolomuse/

You can find my TEDx talk on Polychromatic Music posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfJbS...

'duration'

The individual process of seeking an enduring Hope and sense of greater meaning, within an experience of constant change and turbulence.

Turbulence - instability, disturbance, unpredictability, randomness, fluctuation, disorder, unrest, agitation.

An unending process of finding meaning and purpose in the joy, tragedy and random instabilities of life. The perpetual seeking of order, and of sustaining value in a rapidly changing world. 

The difficulty of creating a meaningful existence in a journey that frequently feels like that of a passenger in a vehicle with only an accelerator and no brakes or steering. Searching for an understanding of reactive cultural swings, between the extreme endpoints of oppressive, conservatism toward progressive anarchy and back again. Seeking out creative possibilities beyond an institutionalized apathy, ennui and a passive stasis of human potential. 

An enduring hope for a synergetic/collaborative paradigm of sustainable, evolving existence, in a modern world where (ephemeral; transient) value is assigned to short-term success, efficient compliance, disposability/planned obsolescence, and instant gratification. 

Change and flux are inevitable, yet Hope endures.

audio tracks: https://dolorescatherino.bandcamp.com
website: http://www.dolorescatherino.com
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dolomuse/

You can find my TEDx talk on Polychromatic Music posted at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfJbS5jPiOk

'Hope, In Turbulence'

'convergence' - an intuitive composition process which aims toward increasing clarity and a vague sense of 'directionality' and flow. 

Ideas, intuition, imagination and seemingly infinite possibilities slowly converging into an expressive form. Ideas and impressions converging toward a path which paradoxically opens new expansive possibilities and questions. 

A sense of greater meaning and synchronicity in the joys and tragedies of life. Enduring mystery... 

www.facebook.com/dolomuse/

'convergence'

The Lullaby Project is a collaboration between mothers at the Hiland Correctional Center and Alaska musicians, to create songs of love and connection for their children. The creative and collaborative process of putting their words to music brings separated families hope for the future. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEgl3GrbUic
https://www.carnegiehall.org/Education/Social-Impact/Lullaby-Project

Lyrics: Rebecca Lloyd
Music: Dolores Catherino
Lead vox: Corinthia Rabb McCoy, Sunni M, Tamara McCoy
Backing vox: Kippy Lanz, Dolores Catherino
Keyboard, Bass: Dolores Catherino
Drums: Cameron Cartland

You can support the Lullaby Project: https://www.keystolifealaska.com/donate

Forever My Baby - Lullaby Project 2017

Antinomy: incompatible truths/facts; anomalies; irreconcilable differences/perspectives; all pushing the boundaries of language, awareness and understanding toward ever-expanding limits.

Antinomies expose the limitations of binary, either/or, 0/1 logic, as well as the use of discrete, categorical and conceptual boundaries in language.

Examples: logical and rational/irrational paradoxes; catch-22; sociological: an American era of mass incarceration as a ‘solution’ (which generates more expansive problems) to the difficulties of drug addiction, poverty, homelessness, unaddressed psychiatric illness, etc. 

'Antinomy' as an awareness and curiosity of audible anomalies of sound which seem to be incompatible with visually-based conceptions of space: superposition of sound ‘objects’ in space, sound waves constructively/destructively interfering AND passing through, intact without structurally modifying interactions. An intuition emerges, of a multidimensional auditory ‘space’ (field) with more than 3 dimensions, subject to different patterns and characteristics, in addition to those aspects perceived, conceived and measured visually.

'Antinomy'

An expression of the timeless and constantly evolving ‘voice’ (consciousness) of humanity and all sentient beings. An enduring ‘voice’ (expression) of striving, growth and hope, as we live through, and are forever changed by, recurring experiences of harmony and discord, creation and destruction, integration and separation. 

From within a chaotically changing world, emerges an expanding awareness of dissonance, consonance and resonance as fundamental aspects of this experience. Music is an optimal language to express ideas in this realm of experience.

Art has a unique strength to illuminate opaque realms of experience and intuition. Each symbolic language (discursive, mathematical, artistic; literal, abstract) reveals different and seemingly incommensurable perspectives or dimensions of this common, yet uniquely individual experience. Each system of expression and understanding reflects a partial awareness. And our experience may be in some way a reflection of our consciousness and awareness.

Vox Aeterna is an eternal 'voice' existing beyond our limited conceptions of time and space, yet also existing within an experience of increasing transience and instability.

'Vox Aeterna'

yoooooo new album 'Horixens' is out. this one is in marveldene tuning. enjoy!

Horixens

Baobaoshuijiaojiao

Come on a Journey

N⩞SCENT - coming into being. The birth of extraordinary potentiality and hope within difficult times. 

Crisis seems to be the catalyst to profound change and progress. A crisis-evolution cycle repeats throughout human experience. In difficult times, greatness emerges - compassion in the midst of hostility; awareness in the midst of deception; striving in the midst of apathy; hope in the midst of despair.

As the rate of change accelerates, some take advantage of the fear caused by this instability. And yet these same actions also create the conditions for the development of inner strength, purpose and greater meaning in response.

Audio track available at: https://dolorescatherino.bandcamp.com/track/n-scent

N⩞SCENT

Inflexion - a movement toward profound transformation. In a postmodern world, where emerging narratives replace the stability of a prior cultural meta-narrative, more voices are striving to be heard. An initial sense of dissonance and chaos slowly moves toward stability -- within a more complex form of harmony.

”The limits of my language are the limits of my world."  - Wittgenstein

When the language of cultural discourse becomes rigidly divisive, and words lose any stable meaning, music can transcend limitations of communication and become a unifying force, rooted in common awareness, experience and emotion. 

Each language presents unique strengths and limitations to the awareness and understanding of our world and ‘reality’. Music can express this tension without divisiveness and demonstrate the potential, and hope, for bringing together diverse voices within new complexities of harmony. A movement beyond ‘either-or’ understanding, toward ‘both-and’ awareness; and in the process, a discovery of wider balance and integration between them.

'Inflexion'

Expanse: Exploring the unknown limits of musical sound. Whenever a symbolic language is expanded (in music, math, science, English, etc.), new ideas and possibilities can be structured in thought and expressed to others. This renewal leads to new questions, new discoveries, and eventually toward wider perspectives.

Microtones for transformation

Winston Smith Jr.