A Few Thoughts on Polymorphism in Digital Scores

This paper is motivated by the phenomenon of polymorphism in graphic notation, a notion introduced to the discourse of graphical composition by Greek composer Anestis Logothetis. It refers to the reading of a graphic score in which alternative paths can be taken by a performer. The reading can either be synthetic/global or analytical/local with intermediary levels. We are contrasting Logothetis' concept of polymorphism with analogous phenomena in molecular biology and look at the paradigm shift leveraged by digital technologies where machine and hybrid readings ought to be taken into consideration. Examples of current practices are given for live, extended reality and hybrid scenarios. The paper finishes with an outlook on how AI might eventually become another game changer.