The Seasons Fanfare is a signature tune commissioned by Charles Darwin University, in Australia's... more The Seasons Fanfare is a signature tune commissioned by Charles Darwin University, in Australia's Northern Territory, for grand occasions such as graduation ceremonies. Sundstrup has produced a magnificent work that is of and for the Territory as well as its university. The melodic motif is an homage to Charles Darwin, evolving as the fanfare progresses. Introduced by clapping sticks that welcome to country, one has the sense of being taken on a magical journey through time and space, revealing wonder after wonder. The motif strives to make sense of it all, as it tries news ideas: sometimes discarding them, sometimes adopting and other times adapting them as it develops along the way. It opens with the beautiful tranquillity of the Dry season, celebrating its glorious blue skies and delightfully lush green flora with a Baroque-styled lilt that also acknowledges the roots of European universities. _ But the Dry inevitably yields to the incessant Build Up, with its growing intensity and seriousness of purpose. It is here, in particular (and, indeed, throughout), that the piece repays discerning listening for the more subtle variations of the many seasons recognized by the Indigenous people of the countries of the Territory. The Wet finally arrives with brilliant lightening and crashing thunder. With the rain comes relief! The joys of survival are acknowledged with another doff of the trencher to the great scientist, when the trills of Sundstrup's harp and clarinets evoke the play of Darwin's finches. The Fanfare concludes with a triumphant crescendo that honours the end of a wonderful journey. And yet, there is a sense that this is but the first of many journeys ... And is that not precisely how university should be?
This thesis investigates a method of orchestral simulation using sample-based synthesis, instrume... more This thesis investigates a method of orchestral simulation using sample-based synthesis, instrument modelling, and music performance rules. Music scores are produced using Sibelius notation software and performed by FATSO (Film and Television Studio Orchestra). FATSO is a virtual orchestra developed by the author using a combination of computer music software applications and expressive instrument modelling techniques capable of producing convincing simulated orchestral performances of music scores. Music performance rules are modelled on live human performance practice using both Analysis-by-Synthesis and Analysis-by-Measurement techniques. The collected data is analysed, and then implemented into a music score using the Sibelius live playback transformation feature. After a music score is processed with human performance data, the instrument sounds and playing techniques are realised by the Vienna Instruments sample playback engine and GigaPulse convolution reverberation plug-in. ...
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Papers by Leif Sundstrup