Which makes me think - maybe algorithmic composition would work better the other way around - start with one or two short phrases and repeat them, adding more variation, and different types of variation over longer timescales.
On a more serious note -- yes, but even this would become boring quickly despite the variations. This problem has been solved by:
- using different themes for different sections, or
- intertwining two or more such themes for contrast within the same section.
Prime examples of this approach are Beethoven piano sonatas.
I seem to recall I read somewhere that (part of?) the album was painstakingly made using Supercollider [1], but can't find a proper reference.