Musical complexity and ‘Embodied notation’ : a study of the opus Clavicembalisticum (K. S. Sorabji)

Scores of complex, 20th century, solo piano pieces can be difficult to perform and may even include elements that are physically impossible to play. This article investigates the role of music notation in the Opus Clavicembalisticum of Sorabji, which is a rather extreme case in terms of virtuosity and length. To analyze the effect of score notation on learning and performing, 9 pianists were asked to practice music fragments in 3 different score editions, being the original Urtext edition (a 4-staff score), Performance edition (same notes but organized according to an “embodied” performance viewpoint), and Study edition (further simplified and with added analytical reading aids). The hypothesis was that the “embodied notation”, would have an effect on study time (shorter study time) and errors (less errors). Objective features of the study process and performance, such as study time, error ratio, markings on the score (fingerings, hand distribution, synchronization) were compared. Subjective remarks the performers made about the scores were also analyzed. Findings indicate a significant positive influence of the score type on the study time. These results suggest that players draw on ideomotor principles, which include processes based on learned and “embodied” associations between perceived images of the scores and the motor activity that is directly associated with it

The causes and consequences of inbreeding avoidance and tolerance in cooperatively breeding vertebrates

Cooperative breeders provide a particularly interesting scenario for studying inbreeding. Such populations are viscous due to delayed dispersal and short dispersal distances, resulting in the build-up of relatives in the local population. This leads to a high risk of inbreeding, and consequently of inbreeding depression. This has driven the evolution of an array of inbreeding avoidance mechanisms resulting in a relatively low level of close inbreeding in the majority of cooperative breeders. However, there are a number of species where inbreeding occurs relatively frequently. The presence of regular inbreeding (in cases where inbreeding is not a result of recent population declines), suggests that inbreeding tolerance and even preference can evolve under some circumstances. Both inbreeding and inbreeding avoidance mechanisms have enormous downstream fitness consequences for cooperative breeding species. For example, they can influence reproductive dynamics leading to a monopolisation of breeding opportunities by dominant individuals. Inbreeding and its avoidance are also likely to impact on the evolution of cooperative breeding itself through influencing levels of relatedness between potential cooperators. Finally, in some cooperative breeders, a high degree of inbreeding avoidance can be detrimental to population viability, and hence is of particular concern to conservationists. In this review, I discuss these issues in detail and also briefly consider recent advances in the methods available for the study of inbreeding in natural populations

Integrating Timetabling and Crew Scheduling at a Freight Railway Operator

We investigate to what degree we can integrate a Train Timetabling / Engine Scheduling Problem with a Crew Scheduling Problem. In the Timetabling / Engine Scheduling Problem we determine for each demand a specific time within its time window when the demand should be serviced. Furthermore, we generate engine duties for the demands. In our solution approach for the overall problem, we first obtain an optimal solution for the Timetabling / Engine Scheduling Problem. When solving the Crew Scheduling Problem, we then exploit the fact that numerous optimal, and near optimal solutions exist for the previous problem. We consider all these solutions that can be obtained from the optimal engine schedule by shifting the demands in time, while keeping the order of demands in the engine duties intact. In particular, in the crew scheduling stage it is allowed to re-time the service of demands if the additional cost is outweighed by the crew savings. This information is implemented in a mathematical model for the Crew Scheduling Problem. The model is solved using a column generation scheme. We perform computational experiments based on a case at a freight railway operator, DB Schenker Rail Scandinavia, and show that significant cost savings can be achieved.acceptedVersio

[4] Frammenti Aforistici (1977) [sheet music]

Critical Edition of K. S. Sorabji's [4] Frammenti Aforistici (KSS96). Type: sheet music

SORABJI: Symphonic Nocturne (1978) [CD]

Symphonic Nocturne (KSS97) by K. S. Sorabji: CD recording by Lukas Huisman

Symphonic Nocturne (1978) [sheet music]

Critical Edition of K. S. Sorabji's Symphonic Nocturne (KSS97). Type: sheet music