iannis xenakis (1926-2001)

[s~Z]

one of the greats has left us...

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Musical Pioneer Iannis Xenakis Dies at Age of 78


PARIS (Reuters) - Romanian-born French composer, architect and
mathematician
Iannis Xenakis, who invented a new genre of music composed with the
aid of
computers, died on Sunday aged 78.

"France loses one of its most brilliant artists today," French
President
Jacques Chirac said in a statement of condolence.

Xenakis, born in Romania to a wealthy family of Greek origin, moved to
Greece
in 1932 and subsequently fought with the Greek resistance during World
War
Two, losing an eye in battle.

Expelled by Greece in 1947 because of his political beliefs, Xenakis
moved to
Paris where he closely collaborated with modernist architect Le
Corbusier for
the next 12 years.

Parallel to this, he began studying composition at the Paris
Conservatory
under illustrious composers including Olivier Messiaen and Darius
Milhaud.

Xenakis developed a new composing technique using computers and based
on the
mathematical probability of the recurrence of notes and rhymes. This
yielded
some of his breakthrough works, Metastasis in 1955 and Achorripsis in
1958.

"By breaking free from the constraints of the classical norm, by
taking the
path of random music and by using the inputs of science, he
contributed to
the definition of a new area of freedom for musical art," Chirac said.

Xenakis became a naturalized French citizen in 1965 and the following
year
set up the School of Mathematical and Automatic Music. He leaves
behind a
wife and a daughter.

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