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Xenakis and the Performer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 February 2010

Extract

The techniques and aesthetic of Xenakis's music have been widely discussed in books and articles—many by the composer himself. These issues belong to the ‘outside time’ characteristics of music which Xenakis has defined in his article ‘Towards a Metamusic’ (TEMPO 93). So far, however, there has been little or no detailed discussion of the ‘inside time’ aspect of his music, namely the problems relating to its performance, although it is generally known that many of his works—especially those where solo players are involved, such as Nomos Alpha, Mikka, Eonta, Herma, Evryali, Synaphai-Connexites—are exceptionally difficult to play. These problems are important and must be solved not only for the sake of satisfactory performances of Xenakis's music, but also because they raise wider questions concerning the further exploration of instrumental technique.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

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References

REFERENCES

1. Xenakis, Iannis, Formalized Music: Thought and Mathematics in Composition (Indiana University Press, 1972), pp.3839.Google Scholar
2. Xenakis, Iannis, Formalized Music: Thought and Mathematics in Composition (Indiana University Press, 1972), p. 38.Google Scholar
3.Francois-Bernard Mache, ‘Xenakis et la Nature’, L' Arc 51.Google Scholar
4. Formalized Music, p. 241 Google Scholar
5. Xenakis, Iannis, Formalized Music: Thought and Mathematics in Composition (Indiana University Press, 1972), pp.207.Google Scholar