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Music from the Ocean | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Bob L. Sturm is concerned with the sonification of data, synthesis and Beethoven. Music from the Ocean, released on Composer Scientist Recordings, contains mappings of data to sound based on data recorded by buoys. As Bob says in the CD notes, "Composing for the ocean is also explored by using the buoy as performer and ocean as conductor." The CD also contains a research paper and Flash presentation, which were presented at the 2002 International Conference on Auditory Display held in Kyoto. The data used to produce the CD is available in the public domain from the Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP). Sturm has rendered this data into sound using his own algorithms developed in MATLAB. The CD is split into 3 sections: sonification, auditory renderings of various ocean phenomena and musical material generated by these methods. It's a lot easier to appreciate some of the material if the CD notes are read carefully, especially the section of the CD that explores ocean phenomena. Here, Sturm explores the seasons and oceanographic events over long periods of time, discussing the illuminating results the sounds bring when an entire year is played back and storms and other events can be observed occurring during the winter. Of particular note in this section is track 26. Sturm adds clicks to signal each midnight. The resulting waveform highlights non-linear effects that are not visible in the graphs presented in the CD notes, and this hints at the power of this method of data exploration and presentation. The first composition, Torrey Pines State Beachg Inner and Outer Buoys, Fall Storm 2001, was created by a massive swell that struck the west coast of the USA during November. Apparently, waves up to 100 feet were seen, and a recently sand nourished beach at Torrey Pines was almost entirely removed. Knowing this, the work takes on quite a dramatic quality, and the oceanographic origins are still felt despite the metallic timbres. Although the compositions are fascinating, tracks 14 and 15, where Sturm explores the window shape parameters of his sonification algorithm, are without a doubt the most beautiful sounds on the CD. They have a shimmering, violin-like quality, and an overall tranquility that sounds like a purely human composition. There are many ways of interpreting these recordings, however, one thing became clear to me as I read the CD notes: it takes a great deal of skill to adapt data and present it meaningfully. Sturm has twisted the data into sound and on the way draws attention to particular events that could not be otherwise explored. Additionally, he attempts to use this data to create music. Profound events in local environments are rendered as sound, and hints of global events are drawn in, somewhat hinting at the chaotic nature of the sea. Sturm's work is thoughtful, and the occasional hints of melodies and tactile sounds make it worthwhile listening. Review by Alex Young
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