Thread: Iannis Xenakis

Really, really struggle with Xenakis ! Am trying this minute, thanks to recommendation on the thread, Polla Ta Dhina...thinking that anything for children's choir can't be too hideously obscure....well, just about !
'A l'ile de Goree' is the only other piece so far that I've managed to sit through. Any other thoughts welcome !

Originally Posted by cjvinthechair

Really, really struggle with Xenakis ! Am trying this minute, thanks to recommendation on the thread, Polla Ta Dhina...thinking that anything for children's choir can't be too hideously obscure....well, just about !
'A l'ile de Goree' is the only other piece so far that I've managed to sit through. Any other thoughts welcome !

Try these:





The first is solo piano, the second is more of a soundscape that takes ideas of space in to account. You won't get the full effect just from a stereo recording, but hopefully you'll be able to enjoy the atmosphere of the piece before long. Speaking of which, if you're struggling with Xenakis, it might be a good idea to approach his work as though it were an atmosphere rather than a composition (note that this approach may also help you with the Ligeti pieces you were struggling with). Of course, it could be that modern/contemporary music just isn't for you, nonetheless I respect you for wanting to give it a fair shot.

Love, love, love Xenakis. I can really recommend Edition RZ's Xenakis release. It's real great.

Originally Posted by Crudblud

Try these:





The first is solo piano, the second is more of a soundscape that takes ideas of space in to account. You won't get the full effect just from a stereo recording, but hopefully you'll be able to enjoy the atmosphere of the piece before long. Speaking of which, if you're struggling with Xenakis, it might be a good idea to approach his work as though it were an atmosphere rather than a composition (note that this approach may also help you with the Ligeti pieces you were struggling with). Of course, it could be that modern/contemporary music just isn't for you, nonetheless I respect you for wanting to give it a fair shot.

Many thanks for trying. Did listen, honest...OK not to all of it; but have to say I'm defeated. Like more 'modern' music than I used to - quite a few Americans, many Baltic etc., but it's not going to happen just yet with Xenakis, and as for Ligeti, well, I just revel in my ignorance of him & 'his kind' ! Sorry.

Originally Posted by cjvinthechair

Many thanks for trying. Did listen, honest...OK not to all of it; but have to say I'm defeated. Like more 'modern' music than I used to - quite a few Americans, many Baltic etc., but it's not going to happen just yet with Xenakis, and as for Ligeti, well, I just revel in my ignorance of him & 'his kind' ! Sorry.

Perhaps you will come back to it with a different perspective in the future, but the important thing is that you tried, and as I said before I respect you for doing so.

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4 Comments

S.709!!!!!!!!!!!

The last minute is Xenakis at it's most beautiful and (almost) tonal: