Singing the code of life

A genome (a combination of the words "gene" and "chromosome") is the instruction set for life in any living organism. But the genome does not begin to convey the genetic diversity or polymorphism of the species. So scientists are busy recording and comparing individual genetic sequences to learn about the variations that underlie particular traits and diseases.

To musician Andrew Morley, genetic sequences look a lot like notes. Human DNA is made up of just four different chemical compounds, so he has assigned a note to each of them. Composer Michael Zev Gordon has transposed these notations to sheet music to create a new choral work.

In Allele, each member of the 40-strong choir sings parts of his or her own genetic code, which is currently being analyzed to determine what distinguishes an excellent singer from the rest of us. One voice begins. Soon others join in, conveying the idea of genetic replication and reproduction. Each one sings a slightly different melody that creates a unified piece of music. (Listen to a rehearsal for the premiere on 13 June 2010 here. Review here .)

The resulting work may not please every ear. One commentator said, "It sounds like Brown's cows at milking time." Spotlight's language editor, Joanna Westcombe, points out that the new work has a famous predecessor, Thomas Tallis's Spem in Alium, a sacred motet for 40 voices composed around 1570 and considered one of the pinnacles of polyphony. Listen:

Even if the new piece may not move most people in quite the same way, mapping the genetic code on to a musical score is highly imaginative, poetic and thought-provoking.

On this note, let's explore codes in general on the next page, reviewing some of the verbs above.

Anne Hodgson