Arts-Sciences: Alloys

by Iannis Xenakis, Olivier Messiaen

In this fascinating essay Iannis Xenakis succeeds in unraveling the intricate web between the arts and sciences, thereby demonstrating their interdependency as in the components of an alloy. A complete list of works and bibliography are included. In this translation Xenakis explains not only his musical and theoretical writings - but also the role of mathematics as a philosophical catalyst in both his musical and architectural works. He discusses in detail his unique use of computers as a graphic tool in the composition of some of his scores. Unexpected aspects of his character are gracefully revealed in these highly readable exposés.

Xenakis is responding to a panel of noted French masters from the various disciplines in w which he has worked and cleverly manages to answer specific questions in one field while simultaneously addressing perhaps less-initiated exponents from other, seemingly unrelated areas. He succeeds in unraveling the intricate web between the arts and sciences, thereby demonstrating their inter-dependency as in the components of alloys.

Genres: Music

133 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Iannis Xenakis (also spelled as Yannis Xenakis; Greek: Γιάννης "Ιάννης" Ξενάκης, 29 May 1922 – 4 February 2001) was a Greek-French composer, music theorist, architect, performance director and engineer. After 1947, he fled Greece, becoming a naturalized citizen of France.

Xenakis pioneered the use of mathematical models in music such as applications of set theory, stochastic processes and game theory and was also an important influence on the development of electronic and computer music. He integrated music with architecture, designing music for pre-existing spaces, and designing spaces to be integrated with specific music compositions and performances.

Reviews

[Tomek · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to see it made into a movie

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content is wonderful, but this is basically an overpriced copy of Xenakis' PHD defence. Good for the Xenakis scholar, less interesting for the average schmo like me.