Article

Technology, Performance, and Presence

Karen Power

Published in: Ethnomusicology Ireland 1 (2011)

Pages: 16-25 | Published Online: 2011

https://doi.org/10.64208/SFED3623

Abstract

This paper examines how current creative technological trends are affecting both the concept of ‘performers’ and, indeed, the performance space, within contemporary music practices. Through the increasing use of technology, alongside the increasing inadequacies of our standard Western art notational language composers and performers are exploring more intuitive ways of creating music and sound together. This paper focuses on how technology has helped composers to widen both the concept of theperformer and the performance space. Specifically, how, through the creative use of technology, composers today are becoming more involved in the performance aspects of their work, through both an increase in their physical stage presence and through the widening of the concept of a performance stage. Throughout I have approached this investigation through reflection on my own practice, rather than as a documentation or review of the topic more widely. As such, I hope that it points toward and opens up a fruitful area of research for ethnomusicologists.

Keywords: Technology, contemporary music, performers

Author: Karen Power