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Milton Court Concert Hall, Barbican, London A tribute to the 19th-century computing pioneer revealed some fascinating processes, but the music was less rewarding
‘I shall in due time be a poet,” wrote Ada Lovelace. And now she is, if having your words set to an evening’s worth of music counts, thanks to this instalment in the Barbican’s Life Rewired series, curated by composer Emily Howard.
It was Charles Babbage, who, in 1837, designed the analytical engine, an unbuilt machine anticipating the first computer; but it was Lovelace, a mathematician with an artist’s imagination, who could see and articulate where her colleague’s invention might lead. Lovelace is the patron saint of any composer using artificial intelligence in their work, and we heard five pieces by four such disciples here. They framed a panel discussion led by Radio 3’s Andrew McGregor, which both burnished Lovelace’s aura and debunked a few romantic myths. It was a chewy evening, offering much to think about but less in the way of musical reward – though it is to the credit of the excellent Britten Sinfonia that it was attempted at all. Continue reading...