ALAN RICH

A survey of the American composers who invented new musical languages.The first survey of the American composers who invented new musical languages from the turn of the 20th century Includes the early pioneering flair of Charles Ives and, later, Henry Cowell and John Cage Examines the work of Carl Ruggles, Edgard Varese, Harry Partch, Colin McPhee and Lou Harrison A spirit of innovation has flourished in American music since the turn of the twentieth century, with composers keen to diverge from European influences and invent new musical languages. Charles Ives captured this early pioneering flair, taken up later by Henry Cowell and John Cage - all initially met with much critical resistance. The same exploratory driving force is equally strong in the music of Carl Ruggles, Edgard Varèse, Harry Partch, Colin McPhee, Lou Harrison and members of America's youngest composing generation. This volume traces the development of this boundary-breaking musical verve through a series of daring composers, whom we now recognize as established, as without them the music of today would not be the same.

A spirit of innovation has flourished in American music since the turn of the twentieth century, with composers anxious to throw off the shackles of the European masters and invent new musical languages. Charles Ives captured this early pioneering flair, taken up later by Henry Cowell and John Cage; all initially met with much critical resistance. The same exploratory driving force is equally strong in the music of Carl Ruggles, Edgard Varèse, Harry Partch, Colin McPhee, Lou Harrison and members of America’s youngest composing generation.