Conception to Construction: Compositional decision-making informed by theories, patterns and processes in the physical, life, and computer sciences

Leeming, Zakiya (2022) Conception to Construction: Compositional decision-making informed by theories, patterns and processes in the physical, life, and computer sciences. Doctoral thesis (PhD), The Royal Northern College of Music in collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University.

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Abstract

This critical commentary presents my compositional research investigating how theories, patterns and processes in the physical, life and computer sciences have informed my practice. Engaging with the work of composers who have explored related ideas in their work from Xenakis and Ligeti, to Emily Howard, Robert Laidlow and others, this research considers different understandings of the meaning and role of ‘science’ within an artistic practice. I reflect on the methodologies that have emerged as proxies to navigate my interest in scientific concepts within the language of music, including metaphor and collaboration. Scientists involved in collaborations within this project include biochemical engineers and chemists from Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Liverpool, and doctors and health data scientists of Connected Health Cities (CHC) and the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium’s UK Covid-19 group (ISARIC4C). The thirteen works that complete the portfolio track the development of my compositional voice in conjunction with the progression of this research over the degree period, and investigate the topic through structural musical, interaction-based and technological exploration including the use of electronics, augmented instruments, video, and machine learning technologies alongside a broad range of instrumental ensembles. This practice-based research also considers historical and philosophical discussions on the meaning and role of science from the classical era through to the modern scientific method, engaging with Karen Barad’s theory of agential realism and Donna Haraway’s posthumanism to present a view beyond C.P Snow’s ‘two cultures’ (1959). Concluding with reflections on my compositional practice and the developing area of composer/scientist collaborations, this commentary investigates how this body of work contributes new knowledge to this field and discusses the impact legacy of the work itself.