Computer Analysis of Musical Allusions
David Cope · Computer Music Journal · 2003
Computer Music Journal, 27:1, pp. 11–28, Spring 2003 2003 Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In this article I describe a computer program called Sorcerer. Sorcerer provides analytical verification of the presence of musical allusions for what I call referential analysis, a semiotic approach roughly situated between hermeneutic (interpretive) analysis (e.g., Agawu 1991, 1996; Gjerdingen 1988; Nattiez 1990) and Retian (motivic) analysis (Reti 1962). Sorcerer associates patterns found in a target work— music under study—with several potential source works—music assumed to either influence or be influenced by the target work. Sorcerer then presents these patterns as possible references or allusions. The program lists its findings without regard for whether the composer of the target work consciously or subconsciously referenced the source work, only that the found allusions exist. I further describe the possible relevance and importance of this type of analysis as a complementary approach to more standard harmonic, melodic, and formal types of analysis, as a method for performers to better interpret the music they play, and as one possible approach to the deeper understanding of meaning in music.