Interactive Classic Orchestra & Rap’em high (Disco Fever)

The programmes “Interactive Classic Orchestra” and “Rap’em high” were an integral part of “Piazza virtuale” since the first day of broadcasting. In the programmes, the incoming touch-tone signals from the callers’ phones were used to produce music interactively. For this purpose, the tones of the dialing keys were forwarded by computers to synthesizers that imitated instruments. “Rap’em High” was initially launched under the title “Disco Fever,” but was renamed after just one week on the air.

Video clip of Interactive Orchestra and Rap’em high

Manuel Tessloff, composer and sound technician, explains the interface

Manuel Tessloff, composer and sound technician, on interaction with the audience

Manuel Tessloff, composer and sound technician, on the main theme

Screen shots of Interactive Classic Orchestra, Rap’em high and Disco Fever

The sound studio in Kassel (Photo: Ali Altschaffel, altschaffel.com)

Demonstration of an early prototype of the interactive orchestra

Julian Boyd in the studio in Kassel

Julian Boyd in the studio in Kassel

Manuel Tessloff and Indulis Bilzēns in the studio in Kassel

Behind the scenes of the sound studio of Piazza virtuale, 1992

Documents

Concept, Interface and Midi Set Up