Mick Sussman

Composer of Algorithmic Music

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Mick Sussman is the creator of the Rosenberg Algorithmic Music Generator, a monumental 100,000-line software program. His other works are generated from concise snippets of code. They are generally noisier and more diverse in texture than Rosenberg, while sharing its focus on rhythmically intricate patterns. Most of Sussman's work is formalistic and experimental, but also quirky and unruly, highlighting the tensions in teaching a machine to make music for humans.

Discography:

  • The Rosenberg Algorithmic Music Generator, Vol. 5 (Bandcamp DL. Review: African Paper. Radio: The Institute of Spectra-Sonic Sound, DFM, The Parish News, The Moderns, Klangwelten )
  • Preludes and Postludes (Superpang. Review: Bookmat. Radio: The Moderns, Richard Chartier's Between Two Points, Earbitten)
  • The Rosenberg Algorithmic Music Generator, Vol. 4 (Bandcamp DL.)
  • 11 Portents (Bandcamp DL. Radio: The Parish News, The Moderns, Eldoradio, The Institute of Spectra-Sonic Sound, Radio Gwendolyne)
  • The Rosenberg Algorithmic Music Generator, Vol. 3 (Bandcamp DL)
  • The Kressel Studies, Vol. 2 (Bandcamp DL. Reviews: The Moderns, Aural Aggravation. Radio: The Parish News, Radio Gagarin, Eldoradio, Electronic Therapy, The Institute of Spectra ).
  • Fever Dream No. 1 (Trium Circulorum, via YouTube)
  • Fever Dream No. 2 (Trium Circulorum, via YouTube)
  • The Kressel Studies, Vol. 1 (Carrier Records. Reviews: SilenceAndSound, Aural Aggravation, Chain D.L.K.. Radio: The Moderns, The Institute of Spectra, El Réanimator, Toneshift.)
  • The Rosenberg Algorithmic Music Generator: Selected Works, Vol. 2 (Anticausal Systems. Reviews: Gonzo Circus, SilenceAndSound, Musique Machine. Radio: The Parish News, The Moderns, ERR Klassikaraadio.)
  • The Rosenberg Algorithmic Music Generator: Selected Works, Vol. 1. (The Sublunar Society. Interview: Musique Machine. Reviews: Blow Up, Gonzo Circus, Musique Machine, Chain D.L.K.)

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    Mick Sussman is a news editor at The New York Times who has written for The Book Review. His journalism Twitter persona is here. His music Twitter persona is here.

    A video presentation on Rosenberg.

    Computer doodles.

    Email.