He was an awesome genius. His talent was so broad and enormous in esthetics, philosophy and ecriture . In any period of musical history had he been born, he would have been a giant. All the worthwhile post war avant garde originated from him. In short… he IS God. Try Turangalila symphonie. It will blow your mind!
Very unique Japanese composer. His music is like an elusive cloud formation. Sound shape emerges and when you think it's going to be sooo cool, it degenerates and other shapes start to form….. True descendant of Debussy. Try The Dorian Horizon. Exquisitely beautiful! EDITOR'S NOTE: He was a dear acquaintance/mentor of mine. Let us add that he was not only a great composer but also the most open-minded cool human being!
An architect turned composer. He was a political criminal in his home country Greece with a death sentence. His resume is as scary as his music. He creates music by note organization based on mathematical models. Since his models are unrelated to music, his music that is the reflection of those naturally turns out to be totally desolate. It certainly is beyond the mortal esthetics. It sounds as if it was created by some space alien whose mentality shared nothing in common with us. But if it's that different, it has to be interesting, right? Try Pithoprakta. . It's intellectual violence or a brain rape! Be awed by the alien brain washing machine!
Arguably the most important composer since 1945. His music is always backed with a very focused esthetic stance and rock solid ecriture. He is also always on technological cutting edge. Isn't it nice to have the bottomless government funds? Try Le Marteau sans Maitre. It was allegedly written completely by numerical manipulation (EDITOR'S NOTE: This editor is not sure. If it is, it certainly is beyond this editor's analytical ability!) But then why does it sound so organic and sexy? This piece will definitely be placed as classic by the end of this century! Deus Ex Machina ….. !
His late pieces are mostly very long. Sometimes they last for a few hours! He composed by combining and modifying limited patterns placed in ever so slowly progressing time. His music gives the sense of real peace and tranquility. Much more effective than mostly brain dead minimal music or disposable ambient music! Try Coptic Light. It will cleanse your head!
Paul Griffiths: Modern Music/ A real excellent introduction to music in 1945-1980 period. Very entertaining!
B.Boretz & E.T. Cone: Perspectives On Contemporary Music Theory / For those who are interested in nitty-gritty of philosophy of making music. Essays chosen here are a bit aged, but still intriguing.
Iannis Xenakis: Formalized Music/ It reveals Xenakis' mathematical compositional method. This editor does not agree with his esthetics, but this book is otherwise VERY deep…… Rudimentary math required.
Claude Samuel: Olivier Messiaen, Musidue et Coueur/ Interviews with the GOD(!). Very inspiring. There are two versions. Entretiens and 'Nouveaux' entretiens. The latter covers extra 20 years.
Pierre Boulez: Releves d'apprenti/ Very sincere essays by an intellctual giant of today. Music is, after all, the art of reconciliation of 'intellect and intuition', 'structure and spontaneity', 'rationality and irrationality', 'numbers and emotions', 'forms and imagination'….. He analyzes this topic with his usual total thoroughness. Heavy reading, but well worth your time!
R. Murray Schafer: A Sound Education/ Now…here's something completely different….. "Unorganized sound is also music." This is a concept this editor has a serious problem subscribing to. Nonetheless, there is no doubt it is one very important idea in the 20th century music. When you shed your prejudice and just listen to the sound around you, you will realize that each sound has a meaning in your life. This book consists of 100 exercises to acquire this attitude. Try these! Very enlightening