Humanus Ex Machina
Robert Paterson
About this work:
Man is slowing is being overtaken by machines; they are beginning to possess a life of their own. Androids, humanoids, computers, four-wheel vehicles and other machines are weaving their way into our lives in both obvious and subtle ways. People in developed societies depend on them for their lives. As hypothesized in many science fiction books and films, our massive expansion of technology will eventually create machines that have free will: they will be able to think, feel and will have the power to ultimately destroy us. If too many are given the power of reasoning, they may decide that we need to be terminated; we are creatures of many flaws.
Humanus Ex Machina is a work about the hypothesized, eventual downfall and deterioration of humankind resulting from being overthrown by machines. The three percussionists represent the machines and play both traditional percussion instruments and “found objects” such as computer floppy disks and brake drums. Humankind, represented by an alto saxophonist, senses that man is about to be wiped out by its own creations and triumphs over them with the greatest weapon of all, the human mind.
Year composed: 1989
Duration: 00:15:00
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:Percussion Ensembles
Instrumentation: 1 Alto Saxophone, 3 Percussion (General)
Instrumentation notes: This work is currently unavailable.