As a reference for this project, I present two different examples that I researched for the realization of the “One Wire Hackbrett”. Approaching these projects, I got an idea of how to realize the instrument and the different ways of playing it. Even though both examples could result similarly from the technical point of view, each of them presents innovative aspects that I can implement into my project:
- “Autoklavierspieler”: realized by Winfried Ritsch, is a robot piano player, also called “Vorsetzer”, designed to play every common (grand) piano with individual dynamics for each key as fast as possible. A massive frame with 88 electromechanical fingers, which are moved by solenoids, is mounted on a keyboard. Controlled by microcontrollers, which are driven over a dedicated computer, the “Autoklavierspieler” can be controlled over Network, MIDI files and real-time generated algorithmic music.[1]
An example of its application can be seen at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpt3lmSFW3k
- “ballet mécanique”: is the most famous composition of the American composer George Antheil. Originally composed to be a soundtrack of a film, the composition is composed for 16-player pianos, four kick drums, three xylophones, a tam-tam, seven electric bells, a siren, and three propellors. [2] Since the technological possibilities of the time did not allow for the creation of a machine capable of playing and synchronizing instruments with each other, this performance became a challenge for several contemporary performers. I had the pleasure and opportunity to work with Professor Ritsch during the preparation of his version of the piece.
[1] Autoklavierspieler Overview (2022) Atelier Algorythmics. Available at: https://algo.mur.at/projects/autoklavierspieler/overview (Accessed: January 23, 2023).
[2] https://www.antheil.org/balletmec.html
