This string quartet was written during my senior year in high school, when I very interested in molecular biology. This work was created by creating a one-to-one correspondence between pitch classes and nucleiobases that form DNA molecules. Then, a certain DNA sequence is "spelled-out" using those pitch classes. Then, the DNA sequence is transcribed into polypeptide sequences by overlaying the true "melody" on top of the nucleobase pitch sequence. This work is a study in pseudo-algorithmic composition. The rules were strictly laid out before hand, and the rules were strictly followed in generating the music. In this sense, the music is "generated" more than it is "composed".
This work is best enjoyed by following along the score. The score contains annotations on when certain biological events begin in the music.
performers on recording
String Quartet - MIDI