Blending materials and ideas (Larry Polansky)

In The Software Arts, Warren Sack says that 'breaking the Aristotelian barrier' (2019, 61)  remains one of the most pressing issues in contemporary philosophy. Separation between production and theory is ultimately a renunciation of knowledge. It seems to me that the work of musician, programmer and composer Larry Polansky is informed by an effort to blend the categories. Listening to his music on CD one is constantly by the flow between material and ideas, between human and machine. The artist smearing the paint in order to attain passages of beauty that are founded on systematic pattern making and yet rendered human, and expressive of experience, through artistic intervention, close listening and creation. The Four Voice Canons are hypnotic but become complex and entrancing as they melt into complex polyrhythmic textures. The curious (to my too well tempered ears) tunings are strange and lovely. In the 20 minute Freehorn (also on coldbluemusic.com) which includes the saxophonist and computer musician David Kant in its distinguished goup, there is a gorgeous soundworld that is rich, sensuous, warm and harmonic. These contemplative textures are perhaps constructed out of known, analysed, properties of natural harmonies, but their constantly changing internal colours speak to high order composition, and communication within this very special company of musicians.