’Magnetophone’ sculpture turns electromagnetism into beautiful noise

Musician-turned-creative-coder Aaron Sherwood describes his latest project as a “sound sculpture.” And after taking just one look at the Magnetophone (or better yet, listening to it), it’s clear that the term is justified. Sherwood began playing music professionally at age 15, but in more recent years has focused his efforts on art. Last year he created Firewall, an interactive membrane surface with stunning fire-like visuals. But the Magnetophone — not to be confused with the reel-to-reel tape player — may be his most impressive work yet.

Very interesting. It starts off sounding just like some modern classical music I’ve heard (random notes at random intervals) but then the combination of that with repeated sequences adds depth and beauty.

I am very much of the opinion that music progresses only as instruments progress. So classical music developed as the orchestral instruments were invented and improved on. The invention of the saxophone led to a new type of music. The invention of the electric guitar led to a new type of music. Etc.

I would love to see a classical music audience seated in anticipation of a concert to be confronted with only the magnetophone on stage. Then to see their awakening understanding of what it is capable of.

Sounds a bit like an Aeolian harp (a stringed instrument sounded by the wind) only less random, presumably because of the melodic pre-programming.