For much of his career, the internationally known and still active Dutch composer Louis Andriessen has been understood as an iconoclast who challenged and resisted the musical establishment. This 2007 book explores his compositions as a case study for exploring the social and aesthetic implications of new music. Everett chronicles the evolution of Andriessen's music over the course of five decades: the formative years in which he experimented with serialism and collage techniques; his political activism in the late 1960s; 'concept' works from the 1970s that provide musical commentary on philosophical writings by Plato, St Augustine and others; theatrical and operatic collaborations with Robert Wilson and Peter Greenaway in the 1980s and 1990s; and recent works that explore contemplative themes on death and madness. Everett's analysis of Andriessen's music draws on theories of parody, narrativity, and intertextuality that have gained currency in musicological discourse in recent years.
• A comprehensive analysis of Andriessen's representative music, giving the reader insights into the historical development of twentieth-century Dutch music • Contains over one hundred music examples and sketches • Includes a useful summary of relevant sources on Andriessen's music
Contents
Introduction; 1. Dutch music in the twentieth century; 2. Formative years; 3. Politics and 'concept' works; 4. Toward the metaphysical in art; 5. Ramifications; 6. Operatic collaboration with Peter Greenaway; 7. Contemplative works; 8. Epilogue.
Printer friendly version