Dec 23, 2025 | 6:57 pm
Classical music can be as weird as any other genre; in Austin, that’s called “Offbeat.” KMFA Classical 89.5 presents a new live-composed work in its Offbeat Concert Series Friday and Saturday, February 6 and 7. This work will unfold in real time in a world premiere performed by Austin Unconducted and Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre, using a technique called Soundpainting.
Soundpainting is a musical sign language created in 1974 by composer Walter Thompson. In a way, it is not so different from conducting: a “soundpainter” signals to the players what they would like to hear using hand gestures. However, conducting usually only adds information to a written score. In this case, the sound painter creates the composition as it progresses — while some of the players’ interpretations shape the piece in unexpected ways.
Here, the creator of Soundpainting demonstrates the technique:…