Choreophonien des Raumes in der Komposition und Aufführungspraxis elektroakustischer Musik

In recent years, space has emerged as one of the most dynamically evolving parameters in the composition and performance of electroacoustic music. Building on the theoretical framework of Peter Kiefer’s “Klangräume der Kunst,” this lecture explores how contemporary artistic, technological, and musical developments have expanded and redefined the notion of spatiality in sound-based creative practices.

This presentation examines a variety of spatial forms—including real, imagined, telematic, and virtual spaces—as well as spaces that replicate or reinterpret existing locations. Some of these spaces arise from physical realities, while others pursue elusive, ephemeral soundscapes that exist solely within the artistic domain and cannot be encountered elsewhere.

At the core of this spatial exploration are dynamic sound objects, conceived as the fundamental compositional units situated within pre-defined or fluid sound environments. Spatial articulation thus becomes possible through the manipulation of compositional elements such as spectral content, intensity, and sound localization. Additionally, the integration of other media enables real-time interaction and transformation of musical parameters, rendering the sound space a malleable, organic, and transient medium.

Crucially, sound space also merges with performative space through the embodiment of musical gestures. These gestures—whether collective or individual—invite performers and listeners alike into an immersive, sensorial, and interactive experience. This fusion breaks down the traditional “fourth wall” of the concert stage and facilitates a new choreophony: a dance of sound through spatial dimensions.

This evolution calls for new compositional strategies and performance techniques that engage with multidimensional spatialization. As a result, electroacoustic music not only reflects but also generates novel modes of sonic thinking, reconfiguring the relationship between sound, space, and audience.