electroviola
for
bowed and joystick-controlled
powerbook

09/01

media-lab, kopenhagen (photo: hwk)

with the help of software (like in this case max/msp) it seems possible to recreate well known acoustical instruments by using the so called pysical-modelling-technology.
but it is more difficult to mimic the interface, by which the instrument is played.

electroviola makes use of the built-in microphone of the powerbook, which, being placed in the lid of the machine, is able to grasp a wide range of nuances when bowed. this helps to create a violin-like interface, where the right hand is bowing and the left hand controls other parameters with a joystick.

the „violinified“ electronic is meant as a kind reverence towards the master of the electrified viola, johannes fritsch, with whom i studied composition from 1989 - 1995.
it was created at the occasion of his 60th birthday in 2001.