De Novo Remutations
Mohammad H. Javaheri & William Amsler
Performed at MediaFlock 2026
Performed at MediaFlock 2026
Definition of De Novo Mutation: A genetic alteration that appears for the first time in one family member as a result of a variant (or mutation) in a germ cell (egg or sperm) of one of the parents, or a variant that arises in the fertilized egg itself during early embryogenesis. Also called a de novo variant, new mutation, or new variant. | Definition of Remutation: The action of changing back again. Origin: Late 17th century; earliest use found in Athenian Gazette. From re- + mutation.
Concerning the form of the “Remutations”: The competition is written for Bauhaus 100th Anniversary for the film “Reflektorische Farblichtspiele”. The work consists of five interconnected movements. Some of the movements are purely orchestral (performed and recorded by the MDR Orchestra in Leipzig, Germany), while others are accompanied by electronics made from recordings of the Digital Bauhaus Orchestra from 2019, when I was a member of the orchestra. DBO consisted of 15 to 20 performers using classical, traditional, and DIY experimental instruments. After our recordings with DBO, my colleague William Amsler created the electronics (fixed tape) for the composition, which was later merged with the MDR Orchestra recording and synchronized with the video.
Mohammad H. Javaheri (1989-), an Iranian composer and performer from Tehran, has gained recognition for his interest in dense, powerful masses of sound and crafting complex textures. He has been named as a promising future composer and internationally in-demand by Germany’s NMZ newspaper and Thuringian state newspaper, respectively. Moreover, he received attention in various news articles, including the LA Times. His music has been characterized as ‘tense’, ‘sensational’, and ‘detailed’; and he inherently crafts his ‘own sound’ (Toshio Hosokawa, SYNTHETIS 2019). His versatile compositions span various forms, including electronic and acoustic elements, and have received international awards.
His creative focus has consistently revolved around the concepts of “Cycle, Repetition, Trans-formative Blocks,” and the interplay of speed with the structure of his compositions, along with the human psyche’s evolution, delving into the profound impact of incidents and traumas on human psychology. His music vividly captures the cyclical nature of these changes and their lasting effects on emotions, actions, and life decisions. His pieces have been performed by well-known artists, ensembles, and orchestras worldwide, featured on platforms like SWR2 Radio, and published by Babelscores, Score Follower, and UCLA Music Library.