![]() ![]() Elements of theatricality appear in numerous compositions, inspiring choreographies from contemporary dance groups. The use of pastiche is also found in his music, as is text by Federico García Lorca, whose poetry Crumb set eleven times. ![]() His compositions often contain musical quotations from wide range of composers including Bach, Chopin, Schubert, Strauss, and the jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk. He was especially influenced by composers such as Mahler, Debussy and Bartók Crumb wrote his four-volume piano set Makrokosmos (1972–1979) in response to Bartók's earlier piano set Mikrokosmos. Among his best known compositions are Black Angels (1970), a striking commentary on the Vietnam War for electric string quartet Ancient Voices of Children (1970) for a mixed chamber ensemble and Vox Balaenae (1971), a musical evocation of the humpback whale, for electric flute, electric cello, and amplified piano.īorn to a musical family, Crumb was acquainted with classical music at an early age and his affinity for Classical and Romantic composers in particular would stay throughout his life. His few large-scale works include Echoes of Time and the River (1967), which won the 1968 Pulitzer Prize for Music, and Star-Child (1977), which won the 2001 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition however, his output consists of mostly music for chamber ensembles or solo instrumentalists. The unusual timbres he employs evoke a surrealist atmosphere which portray emotions of considerable intensity with vast and sometimes haunting soundscapes. Crumb's compositions are known for pushing the limits of technical prowess by way of frequent use of extended techniques. Early in his life he rejected the widespread modernist usage of serialism, developing a highly personal musical language which "range in mood from peaceful to nightmarish". (24 October 1929 – 6 February 2022) was an American composer of avant-garde contemporary classical music. The cello is tuned scordatura, and the piece requires the use of a grand piano as the techniques required would not be possible on an upright model.George Henry Crumb Jr. It is highly suggested that whenever possible the performance be done under blue lighting. In addition to instrumentation techniques, performers are asked to wear half black masks. Movements and instrumentation techniques Although the piece has eight movements, these are grouped into three structurally similar parts: the first two movements "(.for the beginning of time)", five variations named after geologic time periods, and the last movement "(.for the end of time)". In 1971, Crumb drew on these sounds as the inspiration.". "Late in the 1960s, George Crumb heard a tape recording prepared by a marine scientist of the sounds emitted by the humpback whale. Background Īs the name of the piece indicates, Vox Balaenae was inspired by whale songs. It was composed for performance by the New York Camerata in 1971. Vox Balaenae ( Voice of the Whale), is a work for electric flute, electric cello and amplified piano by the American avant-garde composer George Crumb. ![]()
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