Illiac Suite for String Quartet

The Illiac Suite for String Quartet (1957) is recognized as the earliest example of computer-composed music. It was created by composer Lejaren Hiller and mathematician Leonard Isaacson. This work involved programming a computer to generate random musical elements like pitches and rhythms. These elements were then filtered through predefined compositional rules.1

Computer music is a technique, not a specific style, that uses digital computers for musical composition and research. Composers can program computers to generate musical components and then either transcribe the output for traditional instruments or convert it directly into sound. The primary appeal for composers lies in exploring new avenues of musical expression unique to the interaction between composer and computer.12