Phonetic Composition: The Missing Link Between Speech and Music

Composer Kenn McSperritt has come up with an innovative musical technique that involves basing works on human speech. This pioneering new method, which he has deemed ‘phonetic composition’, means that pieces can be created that mimic the way that people talk. McSperritt melds phonetic science, phonological features, and spectral analysis of speech sounds to produce this truly unique sub-genre of classical music.

            McSperritt is currently attempting to finance a CD containing 2 large multi-movement works in the style of phonetic composition. He is using the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter in order to do this. The album will be distributed by Centaur Records, a label in the Naxos distribution family, which has already agreed to help to get it on the shelves. It will feature 50-60 minutes of new music for chamber orchestra.

            This is a truly original project, involving one of the most inventive musical concepts of the last decade. It’s set to appeal not only to fans of classical music, but also to anyone with an interest in pushing boundaries and exploring new forms of art. Perhaps it could herald an era in which the lines between speech and music are no longer as defined, and rousing speeches can be translated into compositions that are equally stirring and memorable.