Organic sound, Bach, LÃ¼beck, Kyma, and KISS2014

Concert, Conference, Event, Festival, Learning, Seminar, Sound Design

Jul 282014

Everyone knows J.S. Bach as a composer, but it turns out he was also a music-technology enthusiast and a sound designer, having spent many hours of his childhood hanging out at the local organ workshop, fascinated with what was the state of the art in sound synthesis technology. Throughout his life, Bach continued to support experimental musical instrument development (like the forte-piano and the bassono grosso) and his experience with the organ (aka additive synthesis), led him to experiment with creating new timbres in his instrumental music through unusual voicings and instrument combinations. In fact it was his technical expertise, as much as his mastery of organ performance, that landed him his first post at the New Church in Arnstadt, where, at age 18, he was hired to both play and maintain the organ there.

In October 1705, the then 20 year-old Bach requested a one-month leave of absence from his post in Arnstadt so he could visit the famed organist/composer Dieterich Buxtehude in LÃ¼beck Germany. Obviously, Bach didnâ€™t have a car, so he ended upÂ walkingÂ the 250 miles to LÃ¼beck, where he was so intrigued by what he heard, he stayed for an extraÂ two months. We donâ€™t know exactly what happened to Bach in LÃ¼beck, but we do know the experience had a deep influence on both his music and his ideas for new instrument designs throughout the rest of his career.

OnÂ 25-28 September 2014, we invite you to undertake your own music-technology and sound-design pilgrimage to LÃ¼beck for KISS2014. At KISS2014, you can immerse yourself in sound and ideas, surrounded by an international community of sound-technology enthusiasts who share your passion for sound, music, and the future of musical instruments. And, like Bach, youâ€™ll return home refreshed, renewed, and with enough new ideas, contacts, and friendships to keep you motivated and inspired for your entire career.

Whether you’re a Kyma expert, new to Kyma, or are simply curious about what Kyma might be and why it inspires so much enthusiasm among composers, live performers, sound designers for film and games, researchers, and educators, KISS2014 is your opportunity to experience an inspiring four days of ideas, music, and interaction with your fellow music/technology/sound enthusiasts.

Registration open until 25Â September 2014

Registration includes access to paper sessions, demonstrations, workshops, the Kyma open lab, opening reception and all evening concerts, plus a free lunch with your fellow symposiasts each day:Â http://kiss2014.symbolicsound.com/kiss2014-registration

For travel and lodging information, please visit:Â http://kiss2014.symbolicsound.com/travel-and-lodging