Kyle Gann ist ein Komponist und ehemaliger Kritiker für Neue Musik bei The Village Voice. Gann konzentriert sich auf Musik, die neue klangliche Möglichkeiten erforscht und die Grenzen der musikalischen Form erweitert. Seine Arbeit schöpft oft aus dem Minimalismus, aber auch aus anderen Genres und unkonventionellen Ansätzen. Sowohl in seiner kompositorischen als auch in seiner kritischen Arbeit strebt er nach einem tieferen Verständnis und einer Wertschätzung der modernen Musiklandschaft.
First performed at the midpoint of the twentieth century, John Cage's 4'33, a composition conceived of without a single musical note, is among the most celebrated and ballyhooed cultural gestures in the history of modern music. This title offers the reader both an expert's analysis and highly personal interpretation of Cage's most divisive work.
Conlon Nancarrow, an innovative American composer, is celebrated for his rhythmically complex music primarily composed for player piano. His work features intricate contrapuntal systems with multiple tempos, drawing inspiration from jazz and Indian music. Despite being created in isolation since 1940, Nancarrow's compositions gained international recognition only recently. The author explores sixty-five of Nancarrow's works and provides a biographical chapter with previously unpublished details, offering insight into the life of this groundbreaking artist who fled to Mexico City.
A bold innovator who redefined contemporary opera
Focusing on the evolution of minimalist music, this Companion offers an in-depth analysis of its development through various generations of composers. It emphasizes the pioneering contributions of early minimalists and explores the unique characteristics of their successors. The book serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the significant research and discussions surrounding minimalist music, making it essential for scholars and enthusiasts alike.