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{ay'-lee-uh-tor-ee}
Aleatory music is any music that results from the application
of chance processes. The term is derived from the Latin word
alea ("dice"). An aleatory score may include a set
of verbal instructions for applying these processes to musical
materials. Some typical aleatory devices are the following:
dice throwing; random splattering of ink on music paper; drawing
of cards; drawing of musical segments out of a hat; playing
musical segments printed on a large page in the order that
the performer's eye happens to fall on them; improvising music
suggested by a graphic design.
Some critics argue that aleatory music represents the composer's
rejection of traditional responsibilities. Others see it as
an enhancement of the creative process. Contemporary composers
who have used aleatory devices include Pierre BOULEZ, John
CAGE, Karlheinz STOCKHAUSEN, Christian Wolff, Sylvano Bussotti,
and Barney Childs. Aleatory elements in music appeared as
early as the 18th century, in so-called "musical dice
games" where dice throws were used to determine some
factor such as note sequence.
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