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PLATO & the Western Tradition

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PLATO & the Western Tradition

PLATO & the Western Tradition is a Postmodern Improvisation Ensemble that has been recording real-time improvisations using electronic and acoustic instruments since 1988. The founders and core members are David K. Barton of South Bend, Indiana, and Boyd Nutting of Niles, Michigan. As of December 4, 2016, we have recorded 4,054 improvisations, and would like to share our music.PLATO & The Western Tradition invites others in the Electronic Music Community to participate in the creation of an on-line compilation called “Weaving Indra’s Net”. Here are the “rules”:1. Download from http://www.soundcloud.com/plato-3 any of the improvisations by PLATO & The Western Tradition that capture your attention.2. Use some or all of what you download as a part of your own music making.3. Post your piece to SoundCloud, and post the SoundCloud link on Plato’s FaceBook page: www.facebook.com/PLATOandTheWesternTradition4. Please comply with our Creative Commons attribution requirement (see http://cre

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  1. 500

    PLATO No. 11050 Empty Silence

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 13, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1450b, “Phoenix Song, part 2”, 00:01-13:01; with, PLATO, No. 1450c, “Phoenix Song, part 3”, 00:00-13:00 (both: David, & Boyd Nutting 5-24-06).

  2. 499

    PLATO No. 11049 Garden Laughter

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 12, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1419a, “Invisible Constellations, part 1”, 13:06-26:06; with, PLATO, No. 1419b, “Invisible Constellations, part 2”, 13:04-26:04 (both: David, & Boyd Nutting 12-20-05).

  3. 498

    PLATO No. 11048 Star-Drift

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 11, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1418a, “The Autonomy of Silence, part 1”, 00:08-13:08; with, PLATO, No. 1418b, “The Autonomy of Silence, part 2”, 00:03-13:03 (both: David, & Boyd Nutting 12-18-05).

  4. 497

    PLATO No. 11047 Candles Want to be Lit

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 10, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1417b, “Adventures in the Numerous, part 2” (David, & Boyd Nutting 12-11-05), 00:06- 13:06, 29:04-42:04.

  5. 496

    PLATO No. 11046 Lamps Seek a Genie

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 9, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 0164, “Grains of Paradise” (David, Boyd Nutting, Evie Barton, & Phil Ray 9-17-89), 13:05-26:05, 27:55-40:55.

  6. 495

    PLATO No. 11045 Carpets Wishing to Fly

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 8, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1045, “Ears Wide Open” (David, & Boyd Nutting 12-18-99), 00:04-13:04, 13:04-26:04.

  7. 494

    PLATO No. 11044 Fifty-Five Years

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 7, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1414b, “Lying in Wait, part 2” (David, & Boyd Nutting 11-30-05), 00:07- 13:07, 19:17-32:17.

  8. 493

    PLATO No. 11043 Ladders Ask to be Climbed

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 6, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1413a, “Conjuring Act, part 1”, 10:05-23:05; with, PLATO, No. 1413b, “Conjuring Act, part 2”, 00:06-13:06 (both: David, & Boyd Nutting 11-27-05).

  9. 492

    PLATO No. 11042 Gates Wait to be Opened

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 5, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1412a, “Theatre of the World, part 1”, 00:04-13:04; with, PLATO, No. 1412b, “Theatre of the World, part 2”, 42:30-55:30 (both: David, & Boyd Nutting 11-27-05).

  10. 491

    PLATO No. 11041 Subversive Rumors

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded May 4, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: PLATO, No. 0141, “Into the Flame” (David, Boyd, & Phil Ray 5-10-89) 00:03-13:03. Boyd: Radius Electronics—›Processors; SERGE—›VCV Rack; Theremin—›Vocoders. PLATO, No. 1239b , “Instrumental Reality, part 2” (David & Boyd 5-4-03) 13:00-26:000.

  11. 490

    PLATO No. 11040 Scrambled Perception

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded May 4, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths+LIVE Instruments; PLATO, No. 0140, “Out of the Cave” (David, Boyd, & Phil Ray 5-10-89) 22:42-35:42. Boyd: Radius Electronics—›Processors; SERGE—›VCV Rack; PLATO, No. 1239b , “Instrumental Reality, part 2” (David & Boyd 5-4-03) 13:00-26:00, 15:00-28:00.

  12. 489

    PLATO No. 11039 Shifting Terrain

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded May 4, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 0193, “Manifesting Incoherence” (David, Phil Ray, & Gary Crawford 3-4-90) 00:02-13:02. Boyd: Radius Electronics—›Processors; SERGE—›VCV Rack; Theremin›Vocoders. PLATO, No. 4365 , “Empyrial HighWay” (David & Boyd 5-4-17).

  13. 488

    PLATO No. 11038 Strong Language

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded May 4, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 0183, “This Hollowed Ground” (David, Boyd, Evie Barton, & Phil Ray 1-20-90) 11:56-24:56. Boyd: Radius Electronics—›Processors; SERGE—›VCV Rack; Theremin›Vocoders. PLATO, No. 1830 , “Exploring the Wilderness” (David & Boyd 10-28-09) 00:00-13:00, 13:00-26:00.

  14. 487

    PLATO No. 11037 Spirit Magic

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded May 4, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths+LIVE Instruments; PLATO, No. 0173, “Waves of Seeing” (David, Boyd, Evie Barton, & Phil Ray 11-11-89) 00:02-13:02. Boyd: Radius Electronics—›Processors; SERGE—›VCV Rack; PLATO, No. 1239a , “Instrumental Reality, part 1” (David & Boyd 5-4-03) 00:00-13:00, 22:00-35:00.

  15. 486

    PLATO No. 11036 Singing Hearts

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded May 4, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: PLATO, No. 0163, “Unzipping the Universe” (David & Boyd 9-7-89) 00:00-13:00. Boyd: Radius Electronics—›Processors; PLATO, No. 4367, “Deeper Time” (David & Boyd 5-4-17).

  16. 485

    PLATO No. 11035 Land's Edge

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 3, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 0135, “Thanatos” (David, Boyd Nutting, & Phil Ray, 4-23-89) 00:03-13:03. 20:02-33:02.

  17. 484

    PLATO No. 11034 Substance Declines

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 2, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 0134, “Athanatos” (David, Boyd Nutting, & Phil Ray, 4-23-89) 13:02-26:02. 17:50-30:50.

  18. 483

    PLATO No. 11033 Infirm Glory

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded May 1, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 0133, “Entotic Refrains” (David, Boyd Nutting, Evie Barton, & Phil Ray, 4-9-89) 00:06- 13:06. 29:12-42:12.

  19. 482

    PLATO No. 11032 Astrological Synthesis

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded April 30, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1312, “much more noise” (David, Boyd Nutting, Walter Wright, & Justin Hoffman, Michiana Improvisational Music Festival XIV, No. 14, 5-30-04) 00:11- 13:11. 36:10-49:10.

  20. 481

    PLATO No. 11031 Respectful Distance

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded April 28, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1311, “Casual Murmuring” (David, Boyd Nutting, Walter Wright, & Tom Mondschein, MIchiana Improvisational Music Festival XIV, No. 7, 5-29-04) 00:02-13:02. 44:07-57:07.

  21. 480

    PLATO No. 11030 Abstract Entities

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded April 28, 2026, PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1310, “Dervishes & Devils” (David, Boyd Nutting, Scott Hatt, & Tom Mondschein, MIchiana Improvisational Music Festival XIV, No. 4, 5-28-04) 00:02- 13:02. 44:07-57:07.

  22. 479

    PLATO No. 11029 Time's Peregrinations

    PLATO No. 11029 Time's Peregrinations by PLATO & the Western Tradition

  23. 478

    PLATO No. 11028 Time's Mirrors

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded April 27, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, MIchiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 0128, “The Space Between Your Ears” (David, & Phil Ray 3-24-89) 00:02-13:02. Boyd: SERGE—›VCV Rack; Theremin+Vocoders—›Processors. PLATO, No. 7271, “Blood Song from Within” (Boyd, & Julie Soales, 4-27-20)

  24. 477

    PLATO No. 11027 Time's Windows

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded April 27, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, MIchiana. David: Voice, Melodeon, Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 1721, “Archery for the Blind” (David, & Boyd 3-18-09) 30:28-43:28. Boyd: SERGE—›VCV Rack; Theremin+Vocoders—›Processors. PLATO, No. 7270 “Spring Rainmaking” (Boyd, & Julie Soales, 4-27-20).

  25. 476

    PLATO No. 11026 Time's Landscapes

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded April 27, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, MIchiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 0126, “Eudemonic Duo” (David, & Phil Ray 3-14-89) 00:35-13:35. Boyd: SERGE—›VCV Rack; PLATO, No. 1261a, b, & c “First Sonnet, parts 1-3” (David, Boyd, Tom Mondschein & Scott Hatt, 10-4-03) 00:00-13:00, all three parts.

  26. 475

    PLATO No. 11025 Time's Horizons

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded April 27, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, MIchiana. David: PLATO, No. 1521, “Beatitude I” (David, & ‘Vid Grande, 12-30-06) 59:54-72:54. Boyd: SERGE—›VCV Rack; Theremin+Vocoders—›Pro-cessors; PLATO, No. 1250a,“Contingent Enigma part 1” (David, Boyd, Andrew Jackson, Scott Hatt,, John Riche, & Kirk Ott, 6-30-03) 13:00-26:00, 20:00-33:00.

  27. 474

    PLATO No. 11024 Time's Possibilities

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded April 27, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, MIchiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; 11014 MIDI. PLATO, No. 0124, “Night on Oxyphont Mountain, part 2” (David, Boyd Nutting, & Phil Ray 3-11-89) 00:02-13:02. Boyd: SERGE—›VCV Rack; Theremin+Vocoders—›Processors; PLATO, No. 1241b, “CONCRETE” (Boyd, Andrew Lersten, & Tom Mondschein, Michiana Improvi-sational Music Festival XIII No. 2, 5-30-03) 00:08-21:00.

  28. 473

    PLATO No. 11023 Light's Heart

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded April 26, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. PLATO, No. 0123, “Night on Oxyphont Mountain, part 1” (David, Boyd Nutting, & Phil Ray 3-11-89) 00:02-13:02, 17:34-30:34.

  29. 472

    PLATO No. 11022 Lunar Incantation

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded April 25, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. PLATO, No. 2011, “Orphic Dialogue” (David, & Boyd Nutting, 8-18-10) 08:50-21:50; with, PLATO, No. 2110, “Strumming the Heartstrings” (David & Boyd 2-9-11) 03:12- 16:12.

  30. 471

    PLATO No. 11021 Invisible Light

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded April 24, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. PLATO, No. 3423, “CosmicStrings (A BirthDay present for Evie)” (David, solo, 8-15-15) 00:02-13:02, 15:44-28:44.

  31. 470

    PLATO No. 11020 Empty Chapels

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded April 23, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. PLATO, No. 0021, “Gesang der junglische Rex”(David, Boyd Nutting, & Evie Barton 4-16-88) 00:01-13:01, 19:50-32:50.

  32. 469

    PLATO No. 11019 Imperfect Will

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded April 22, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1911, “Not the Pied Piper”(David, & Boyd Nutting 3-31-10) 00:12-12:28, 03:39-15:55 both Tr -1.

  33. 468

    PLATO No. 11018 Memory's Rose

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded April 21, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1810, “Insolent Toucan”: 00:12-13:12; with, PLATO, No. 1811, “Inscrutable Oracle”: 00:06-13:06 (both: David, & Boyd Nutting 9-23-09).

  34. 467

    PLATO No. 11017 Gate & Stile

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded April 20, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 6647, “Underground Mastery” (David, solo 4-20-19) 13:00-26:00. Boyd: Theremin+Vocoder—›Processors; PLATO No. 1710, “The Pyramid of Blessings” (David & Boyd 3-4-09) 00:00-13:00, 09:00- 22:00.

  35. 466

    PLATO No. 11016 Will & Word

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded April 20, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 6647, “Underground Mastery” (David, solo 4-20-19) 00:00-13:00. Boyd: Theremin+Vocoder—›Processors; Music Mouse—›Radius Electronics—›Processors.

  36. 465

    PLATO No. 11015 Warp & Woof

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded April 20, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 2154, “Stardust” (David, Boyd, Julie Soales, Tracy. Tillis, & John Hanson 4-20-11) 00:12-13:12. Boyd: Theremin+Vocoder—›Processors; PLATO, No. 0511, “The Fires of Memory part 1” (David & Boyd 5-1-94) 02:00-11:00 Tr -9, 22:00-35:00.

  37. 464

    PLATO No. 11014 Wow & Flutter

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded April 20, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 2153, “Deploration” (David, Boyd, Julie Soales, & Tracy. Tillis 4-20-11) Tr -17. Boyd: Theremin+Vocoder (looped)—›Processors; PLATO, No. 0611, “Dreaming of Deep Time 1” (David & Boyd 3-27-95) 14:00-27:00, 18:00-31:00.

  38. 463

    PLATO No. 11013 Squat & Stoop

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded April 20, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: PLATO, No. 2152, “Lack of Discipline” (David, Boyd, Julie Soales, & Tracy. Tillis 4-20-11) Tr -4. Boyd: Music Mouse+Theremin+Vocoder—›Processors; Radius Electronics—›Processors; PLATO, No. 7257, “thin, bright blue-ness” (Boyd, solo, 4-20-20) Tr -17.

  39. 462

    PLATO No. 11012 Word Tuning

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded April 20, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 2150, “Tocsin Bells” (David & Boyd 4-20-11) Tr -18. Boyd: Music Mouse+Theremin+Vocoder—›Processors; Radius Electronics—›Processors.

  40. 461

    PLATO No. 11011 Shadow-Fall

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded April 19, 2026. PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1011, “The Geometry of Limits” (David, & Scott Hatt 7-5-99) 00:12-13:12, 20:06-33:06.

  41. 460

    PLATO No. 11010 in the Dream Kingdom

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded April 18, 2026. PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 0010, “The Drummer Stumbles” (David, & Boyd Nutting 3-5-88) 13:02-26:02, 33:50-46:50.

  42. 459

    PLATO No. 11009 Heaven's Summit

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded April 17, 2026. PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1109a, “Naïve Nebulae”: 00:03-13:03; with, PLATO, No. 1109b, :Nebulus Nebulae”: 00:12-13:12 (David, & Scott Hatt, with Dato Machavariani, cello , The Red Tape Session, parts 1 & 2, 5-16-01).

  43. 458

    PLATO No. 11008 Hermetic Hoedown

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded April 16, 2026. PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 0118, “Dance Mix” (David, Boyd Nutting, Evie Barton, & Phil Ray 2-18-89) 13:03-26:03, 16:12-29:12.

  44. 457

    PLATO No. 11007 Lord of the Sky

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded April 15, 2026. PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 0117, “Bird of Prey” (David, Boyd Nutting, Evie Barton, & Phil Ray 2-18-89) 13:03-26:03, 17:02-30:02.

  45. 456

    PLATO No. 11006 Shaping Stories

    New Music by David K. Barton, recorded April 14, 2026. PLATO’s PilotHouse, Michiana. PLATO, No. 1016, “The Geometry of Narratives” (David, Boyd Nutting, & Scott Hatt 8-25-99) 00:03-13:03, 33:13-46:13.

  46. 455

    PLATO No. 11005 Mugwump Madness

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded April 13, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 1015, “The Narratives of Geometry” (David & Boyd 8-25-99) 18:46-31:46. Boyd: SERGE—› VCV Rack; Radius Electronics—›Processors; PLATO, No. 1015: 18:49-31:49.

  47. 454

    PLATO No. 11004 Littler Life

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded April 13, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; Accordion Reeds; PLATO, No. 1014, “The Limits of Narrative” (David, & Scott Hatt, 8-2-99) 00:02-13:02. Boyd: SERGE—› VCV Rack; Radius Electronics—›Processors; PLATO, No. 0140, “Out of the Cave” (David, Boyd, & Phil Ray 5-10-89) 26:00-39:00, 32:00-45:00.

  48. 453

    PLATO No. 11003 Forgetting Snow

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded April 13, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; PLATO, No. 1013, “The Narrative of Limits” (David, & Scott Hatt, 7-18-99) 18:46-31:46. Boyd: Theremin—›Vocoders—›VCV Rack—›Processors; PLATO, No. 1300a: Tr -13; 1300b: Tr -26-- “Home away from Home, parts 1 & 2” (David & Boyd 3-28-04).

  49. 452

    PLATO No. 11002 Stirring Roots

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded April 13, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: Kybd—›Synths; Bell+Melodeon; PLATO, No. 1012, “The Limits of Geometry” (David, & Scott Hatt, 7-5-99) 20:26- 33:26. Boyd: Music Mouse—›Radius Electronics—›Processors; PLATO, No. 2100, “Another Milestone” (David & Boyd 1-19-11) Tr -6.

  50. 451

    PLATO No. 11001 Mixing Memories

    Real-Time Improvisation by David K. Barton & Boyd Nutting, recorded April 13, 2026, PLATO’s Studio, Michiana. David: PLATO, No. 1011, “The Geometry of Limits” (David, & Scott Hatt, 7-5-99) 00:11-13:11. Boyd: Music Mouse—›Radius Electronics—›Processors; PLATO, No. 1001a, “Elipsoidal Alchemy” (Boyd, & Andrew Lersten, Michiana Improvisational Music Festival IX, No. 1, 6-5-99) 13:00-26:00, 32:0045:00.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

PLATO & the Western Tradition is a Postmodern Improvisation Ensemble that has been recording real-time improvisations using electronic and acoustic instruments since 1988. The founders and core members are David K. Barton of South Bend, Indiana, and Boyd Nutting of Niles, Michigan. As of December 4, 2016, we have recorded 4,054 improvisations, and would like to share our music.PLATO & The Western Tradition invites others in the Electronic Music Community to participate in the creation of an on-line compilation called “Weaving Indra’s Net”. Here are the “rules”:1. Download from http://www.soundcloud.com/plato-3 any of the improvisations by PLATO & The Western Tradition that capture your attention.2. Use some or all of what you download as a part of your own music making.3. Post your piece to SoundCloud, and post the SoundCloud link on Plato’s FaceBook page: www.facebook.com/PLATOandTheWesternTradition4. Please comply with our Creative Commons attribution requirement (see http://cre

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