This paper presents the concepts developed for my piece “Breakfast Serialism”, for laptop orchestra and improvisers. This piece introduces several conceptual and technical aspects made possible by the use of computer mediation using network communication between the conductor and the performers.The piece is intended as a study on some of the technical and musical potential of the networked laptop orchestra. It is divided in six sections, each one exploring different musical possibilities for the application of the computer as a mediator, that ‘listens’ to all the events from the ensemble, and algorithmically adapts the pitch and dynamic possibilities using custom software developed in the Max/MSP programming environment.The concepts and technical aspects will be described, as well as an insight to the background and some of the specific points of interest and concerns in electronic music ensembles, reflecting a conviction that laptop ensembles present vastly rich, unique and underexplored compositional possibilities.This piece was composed for the ‘EME – ESART Electroacoustic Music Ensemble’, of the School of Applied Arts of the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, with my students from the Electronic Music and Musical Production course, and guest instrument students with experience in free improvisation. It was premiered in the “Serralves em Festa” music festival, in June 1st 2014, at the library of the Serralves Foundation, Porto.
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