Kolmogorov complexity analysis suggests that we can measure how well we understand a piece of music by the concision of a program that produces it.
Furthermore, the inherent complexity of a groove and a fugue can be compared via the lengths of their programmatic representations, and their relationship can be described as a program transformation.
Algorithmic composition has curious implications for the creation, copyright and performance of pieces, both finite and infinite. Expect (finite) demonstrations.
- Aaron, Sam and Rose, Jeff: Overtone
- Autechre: Anti EP
- Borges, Jorge Luis: The Library of Babel
- Cage, John: 4′33″
- Escher, Maurits Cornelis: Drawing Hands
- Ford, Chris: Functional Composition
- Ford, Chris: Kolmogorov Music
- Ford, Chris: Leipzig
- Gaye, Marvin: Got to Give It Up
- Hofstadter, Douglas: Gödel, Escher, Bach
- Kolmogorov, Andrey: On Tables of Random Numbers
- The Law Revue Girls: Defined Lines
- Meredith, David: Analysis by compression: automatic generation of compact geometric encodings of musical objects
- Meredith, David: Music analysis and Kolmogorov complexity
- Reich, Steve: Clapping Music
- Sagan, Carl: Contact
- Schirp, Markus: Mutant
- William, Pharrel and Thicke, Robin: Blurred Lines