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Biography
Duncan's practice utilises both acoustic and digital forces. His output encompasses concert music, participatory arts and interdisciplinary practice that draws inspiration from a diverse range of sources encompassing art, folklore, philosophy, anthropology and acoustic ecology as well as social and political issues. His work has been professionally commissioned, commercially recorded and broadcast internationally by various ensembles and soloists. These include the Arditti Quartet, Jane Chapman, Juice vocal ensemble, Galvanize Ensemble, London Sinfonietta, Musarc, Ensemble Okeanos, Orkest de Volharding, Piano Circus, and Quatuor Diotima. His work has been performed at festivals such as Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Spitalfields Festival, Gaudeamus music week (NL), Sonorities, and at prominent venues namely The Muziekgebouw (NL), Walt Disney Centre (USA), Southbank Centre, and Kings Place. Upcoming commissions include music for Nicola Conibere's dance work Carareretetatakakekerers that will premiere at Sadler's Wells (Autumn 2021), a new electroacoustic work for contrabass clarinettist Sarah Watts (Autumn 2023), and large-scale multichannel acousmatic work drawing upon the acoustic ecology of London's markets in response to Orlando Gibbon's The Cries of London (Summer 2024).
Duncan is an active performer (electronics) and founding member of the trio SoundKarD which specialise in the performance of contemporary electro-acoustic music. He is also an experienced music animateur, leading large-scale composition and community music projects for organisations such as the RNIB, English National Opera, London Sinfonietta, Southbank Centre and Wigmore Hall.
Duncan studied composition with John Woolrich at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and at the Royal Conservatoire, The Netherlands, under the tutelage of Louis Andriessen, Clarence Barlow and Martijn Padding. He holds a PhD in composition from the University of Kent/Trinity Laban, where he studied with Michael Finnissy. He has also been awarded residencies at Acanthes, the Banff Centre, Handel House Museum, iPark artist enclave and IRCAM.
Expertise Summary
Composition (acoustic and electronic forces); Contemporary Music; Electroacoustic Music; Interdisciplinary Practice; Participatory Arts; Technology in Performance.
Teaching Summary
Applied Digital Musicianship; Electroacoustic Composition; Music & Mixed Reality; Portfolio of Compositions; Skills in Composition; Specialised Studies 1; Specialised Studies 2; Specialist… read more
Research Summary
Duncan's practice-led research explores spatial music, microtonality and manipulation of timbre utilising acoustic and electro-acoustic forces. This reflects a broader compositional interest in the… read more
Recent Publications
DUNCAN MACLEOD, 2021. Carareretetatakakekerers: 80-minute score and sound design for contemporary dance
DUNCAN MACLEOD, 2020. The Metalization of a Dream: for open ensemble and electronics
Current Research
Duncan's practice-led research explores spatial music, microtonality and manipulation of timbre utilising acoustic and electro-acoustic forces. This reflects a broader compositional interest in the exploration and creative manipulation of music perception and cognition. As such, his research interests encompass spectator immersion and the blurring of spatial boundaries between performance platform and audience as well as challenging the traditional distinctions of high/low culture. This is realised through reinterpreting traditional performance spaces alongside exploring unconventional public spaces, engaging new technologies, and interdisciplinary practice. Microtonality and timbre are explored by way of non-equal and hybrid temperaments as well as the application of real-time digital signal processing/live electronics as an extension of acoustic instrumental/vocal technique.
Past Research
Duncan's work has been professionally commissioned, commercially recorded and broadcast internationally by various ensembles and soloists. These include the Arditti Quartet, Jane Chapman, Fretwork, Juice vocal ensemble, London Sinfonietta, Musarc, Ensemble Okeanos, Orkest de Volharding, Piano Circus, and Quatuor Diotima. His work has been performed at festivals such as Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Spitalfields Festival, Gaudeamus music week (NL), Sonorities, and Bang on a Can Marathon (NY) and at prominent venues namely Cafe OTO, The Muziekgebouw (NL), Walt Disney Centre (USA), Southbank Centre, and Kings Place.
Future Research
Upcoming commissions for 2023 include music a new electroacoustic work for contrabass clarinetist Sarah Watts and a series of soundwalks for Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre (North Uist). Future projects include a large-scale multichannel acousmatic work drawing upon the acoustic ecology of London's markets in response to Orlando Gibbon's The Cries of London (Autumn 2024).