Greg Davis
Star Primes (for James Tenney)
Using the set of star prime numbers (of the form 6n(n-1)+1), I constructed a set of overtones after choosing a base frequency. I created a Max/MSP patch to synthesize and mix sine tones, and I related the panning and the metronome speed of each partial to its frequency. Each sine tone followed its own 3-beat cycle: beat 1 = base frequency for that given partial; beat 2 = an octave higher; beat 3 = rest. This created a musical texture that was more interesting to me. I also used some simple delays with feedback to further blur the texture.
Here is the list of frequencies that I used (most of the partials were transposed down to fit within a comfortable musical range):
base freq = F = 43.65353 Hz
partial 13 = 70.936989 Hz
partial 37 = 100.94879 Hz
partial 73 = 99.584618 Hz
partial 181 = 123.45764 Hz
partial 337 = 229.86311 Hz
partial 433 = 147.67171 Hz
partial 541 = 184.50438 Hz
partial 661 = 225.42957 Hz
partial 937 = 159.77875 Hz
partial 1093 = 186.38011 Hz
partial 2053 = 175.04042 Hz
partial 2281 = 194.47989 Hz
partial 2521 = 214.94247 Hz
This piece is dedicated to James Tenney (1934–2006). It is an acknowledgment of his extraordinary work with alternate tuning systems and Just Intonation. His musical life should be an inspiration to us all.
Recorded in Burlington, Vermont 2008