Numeri Malvagi from Musica Razionale by Sebastiano De Gennaro

A binary system consisting of the terms 0 and 1 can become a tiny evolving ecosystem. This happens thanks to the Thue-Morse sequence, a sequence of binary digits that is formed by adding to each passage its exact opposite: starting from 0 1, we add its opposite, 1 0, and form the string 0 1 1 0. The opposite of 0 1 1 0 is 1 0 0 1, so the string then becomes 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1. This tiny ecosystem advances by replicating itself ‘from generation to generation’.

Based on a similar principle, mathematician John Conway invented a famous cellular automaton, which he dubbed Game of Life, whose purpose was to show how life-like behaviors can emerge from simple rules. As Conway demonstrated, these self-generating systems can also work with multiple terms, and not exclusively in binary systems.

Numeri Malvagi revolves on this principle of self-generation by using systems of two, three, four, five and finally six terms, and assigning to each term a rhythmic figure and an analogous number of sounds. The piece consists of two long strings: the first consists of 320 self-generated terms and is called Construction. The second, on the other hand, is made up of the same terms, but read backwards, and is called Deconstruction

Tracklist

12.	Numeri Malvagi	6:29

Credits

from Musica Razionale, released April 17, 2022

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