iannis xenakis (1926-2001)

[George Kolliopoulos]

In Athens, an avant premiere of his work "Prometheus" is now on stage from
theatrical director Bob Wilson.
There´s also a Xenakis´ School of Mathematical and Automatic Music in
Holargos, a suburb near Athens.
P.S.: I saw John Cale in concert one week ago. In an interview he expressed
his deep admiration for the work of Xenakis.He´s not the only...

gkoll


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-pynchon-l at waste.org
> [mailto:owner-pynchon-l at waste.org]On Behalf Of s~Z
> Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2001 6:59 PM
> To: Pynchlist
> Subject: iannis xenakis (1926-2001)
>
>
> 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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