“Nomos alpha” for violoncello solo (Xenakis 1966) analysis and comments
Jan Vriend · Interface · 1981
Xenakis used group transformations on three different levels in “Nomos Alpha”. He also applied the algebra of residual classes for the construction of pitch‐grids. A stepwise exposition and analysis of its technical levels, the different couplings of all the variables and a detailed description of a part of the score are repeatedly complemented in this article with critical comments and extrapolations on the fundamental issues or problems that appear to be inherent to such applications. In a conclusion, the question of dependency and independency of variables is stated in the context of musical problem‐posing.