Kyle Gann is een componist en voormalig criticus van nieuwe muziek voor The Village Voice. Gann richt zich op muziek die nieuwe sonische mogelijkheden verkent en de grenzen van muzikale vorm verlegt. Zijn werk put vaak uit minimalisme, maar ook uit andere genres en onconventionele benaderingen. Door zowel zijn compositorische als zijn kritische werk streeft hij naar een dieper begrip en waardering van het moderne muzikale landschap.
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 The author explores sixty-five of Nancarrow's works and provides a biographical chapter with previously unpublished details, offering insight into the life of this groundbreaking artist who fled to Mexico City.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.