About Me
I am a Ukrainian-born composer and researcher specializing in the application of computational methods to musicology. My work focuses on human-computer interaction in music, from performance and composition to advanced computational analysis. I am a proud father of two.
Upcoming Position and Research
Beginning in September 2025, I will be undertaking a full-time post-doctoral research position at the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar (HfM Weimar), working on a DFG-funded project in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Martin Pfleiderer.
The project, titled “Entwicklung einer umfassenden Cloud-basierten Toolbox für Notenanalyse” (Development of a Comprehensive Cloud-Based Toolbox for Music Score Analysis), aims to create a user-friendly, open-source software toolbox for the annotation, statistical analysis, visualization, and pattern recognition within musical scores. A key objective is to make these powerful tools accessible to music researchers, including those without programming expertise, by leveraging the Jupyter4NFDI platform.
This initiative will be conducted in close collaboration with Prof. Dr. Anna Plaksin (Paderborn University) and Jürgen Diet of the Bavarian State Library (BSB). The project will utilize established data formats like MusicXML and MEI to analyze key musical corpora. These include OMR (Optical Music Recognition) data of the Denkmäler deutscher Tonkunst provided by the BSB and selected compositions from the early 20th century. A significant part of our work will also be to enhance the mei-friend web editor by implementing new, powerful functionalities for annotation and search.
Research Interests
My research explores the analytical and practical aspects of human-computer interaction in music. My career has progressed through several stages of focus:
- Classical performance (Cello and Piano)
- Acoustic and electroacoustic composition
- Live electronic music performance
- Computer-assisted music analysis
- Application of Python and machine learning in creative and analytical musical contexts
Current Projects
- CAMAT: A Python-based symbolic music toolbox developed in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Martin Pfleiderer (University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar). Learn more about CAMAT.
- AudioSpylt: A Python toolbox for in-depth audio analysis, advanced processing, and interactive visualization, inspired by AudioSculpt/OM. Explore AudioSpylt on GitHub.
Academic Background
- 2013–2018: Doctorate in Musicology (Dr. phil.), HMT Leipzig
- Dissertation: “Computer-Based Analysis and Visual Representations of Music in the Context of the Latest Developments in Computer/Multimedia and Their Integration into Musicological Research and Teaching”
- Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Gesine Schröder (HMT Leipzig) and Prof. Dr. Martin Supper (UdK Berlin)
- 2011–2014: Master’s in Composition, State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart
- Under the supervision of Prof. Marco Stroppa
- 2010–2013: Meisterklasse in Electroacoustics, HMT Leipzig
- Under the supervision of Prof. Ipke Starke
- 2004–2010: Diploma in Composition, HMT Leipzig
- Under the supervision of Prof. Peter Herrmann and Prof. Ipke Starke
Previous Positions
From 2013 to 2025, I served as an Artistic Associate and Researcher at HMT Leipzig. My responsibilities included leading seminars in electroacoustics and musicology, and providing artistic and technical supervision for student projects in live electronics and audiovisual media.
Note on Name Transliteration: Due to an official change in my documents, my surname has been transliterated from “Poliakov” to “Polyakov.” While my name in Cyrillic remains the same, publications and mentions under the former transliteration exist. I am now consistently using “Polyakov.”