"The idea of 'machine assemblage' is, especially, very alien to my sensibility, since it suggests a relative indifference of the strata to one another during the process of construction"

Brian Ferneyhough's quote touches on the complex interplay in between elements in the structure procedure, using the metaphor of a "maker assemblage" to highlight a process-driven technique to building. Ferneyhough, understood for his complex and extremely detailed musical arrangements, appears to reveal a vital stance towards a compositional technique that might deal with musical or creative aspects as interchangeable parts in a machine. This suggests a method that might prioritize structural and mechanical coherence over the nuanced and interdependent relationships that can exist in between different layers or strata of a work.

By saying that the concept of "device assemblage" is "extremely alien to my sensibility", Ferneyhough is likely highlighting his preference for a method of creation that values the natural, emerging connections that develop throughout the creative process. In his view, a simply mechanical approach might suggest a disconnection or "relative indifference" in between the layers of the work-- be it tonal, dynamic, rhythmic, or thematic. For Ferneyhough, the artistic process is not simply about putting together parts that mesh like a device, but about nurturing the intricate web of relationships that gives rise to a more holistic and meaningful final product.

The term "strata" in his quote can describe the various layers of musical building and construction, such as harmony, tune, and rhythm. The "indifference" he explains might recommend a lack of interaction between these layers in a mechanical technique, possibly leading to a work that does not have the depth and complexity Ferneyhough may value. His emphasis on perceptiveness mean the importance of instinct, level of sensitivity, and the nuanced understanding of how various elements communicate dynamically and meaningfully.

In general, Ferneyhough's statement can be checked out as a defense of a compositional technique that prizes interconnectedness and the natural advancement of ideas, as opposed to an assembly-line approach that could run the risk of stripping the innovative work of its psychological and intellectual richness.