Why might a recorded electronic work never have existed as a live performance?

A recorded electronic work may never exist as a live performance because the composer may choose to communicate directly with the audience, bypassing the need for a performer as an interpreter. By utilizing electronic processing, such as recording and editing on tape, the composer can realize their artistic intentions perfectly without the variability introduced by a live performer.12

Furthermore, electronic music is often produced using complex resources—ranging from electronic oscillators to sophisticated computer installations—that are edited into a permanent, recorded form. While some compositions are designed for "live electronic music," many works are intended to be played back through loudspeakers as a purely aural experience. In these cases, the composer determines that the creative contribution of a performer is unnecessary to achieve their specific artistic goals, resulting in a work that exists primarily as a fixed, recorded medium.21