Models of interaction: performance strategies in works for piano and live electronics

While a considerable amount of literature and pedagogical repertoire already address the challenges of performance practice in works for instruments and fixed media,(2) this body of knowledge largely excludes approaches to mixed works with interactive live electronics.(3) Working with live electronics requires additional skills from the performer, and presents a different set of problems and solutions. As the repertoire grows, performers, composers and music educators must become acquainted with this emerging practice. In this article, the author introduces the concept of 'models of interaction' in order to examine several works for piano and live electronics from the performance practice perspective. The text is illustrated with examples from classic and recent repertoire.