Iannis Xenakis (Ιωάννης Ιάννης Ξενάκης) (May 29, 1922 – February 4, 2001) w… Read Full Bio ↴Iannis Xenakis (Ιωάννης Ιάννης Ξενάκης) (May 29, 1922 – February 4, 2001) was a Greek composer, music theorist and architect. He is commonly recognized as one of the most important post-war avant-garde composers. Xenakis pioneered the use of mathematical models such as applications of set theory, varied use of stochastic processes, game theory, etc., in music, and was also an important influence on the development of electronic music.
Xenakis was born in Braila, Romania. In 1932 his family returned to Greece, and he was educated on Spetsai and at the Athens Polytechnic, where he studied engineering. In 1947 he arrived in Paris, where he became a member of Le Corbusier's architectural team, producing his first musical work, Metastasis, only in 1954, based on the design for the surfaces of the Philips Pavilion to be built for the Brussels Exposition of 1958.
This, with its divided strings and mass effects, had an enormous influence; but in ensuing works he moved on to find mathematical and computer means of handling large numbers of events, drawing on (for example) Gaussian distribution (ST/10, Atrées), Markovian chains (Analogiques) and game theory (Duel, Stratégie). Other interests were in electronic music (Bohor, 1962), ancient Greek drama (used in several settings) and instrumental virtuosity (Herma for piano, 1964; Nomos alpha for cello, 1966). His later output, chiefly of orchestral and instrumental pieces, is large, many works from the mid-1970s onwards striking back from modernist complexity to ostinatos and modes suggestive of folk music.
Xenakis was born in Braila, Romania. In 1932 his family returned to Greece, and he was educated on Spetsai and at the Athens Polytechnic, where he studied engineering. In 1947 he arrived in Paris, where he became a member of Le Corbusier's architectural team, producing his first musical work, Metastasis, only in 1954, based on the design for the surfaces of the Philips Pavilion to be built for the Brussels Exposition of 1958.
This, with its divided strings and mass effects, had an enormous influence; but in ensuing works he moved on to find mathematical and computer means of handling large numbers of events, drawing on (for example) Gaussian distribution (ST/10, Atrées), Markovian chains (Analogiques) and game theory (Duel, Stratégie). Other interests were in electronic music (Bohor, 1962), ancient Greek drama (used in several settings) and instrumental virtuosity (Herma for piano, 1964; Nomos alpha for cello, 1966). His later output, chiefly of orchestral and instrumental pieces, is large, many works from the mid-1970s onwards striking back from modernist complexity to ostinatos and modes suggestive of folk music.
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Bohor
Iannis Xenakis Lyrics
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The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@philipgoddard-composer
To me, this is as riveting and bewitching as a piece of music can be. But undoubtedly only those people with sufficient depth of awareness and mental flexibility would be able to relate to it. Over the years (I first heard a different and somewhat less effective version of it in 1970), it has further grown on me, and is a seriously awe-inspiring experience. If only more people could let go of their preconceived notions of what music should be like, and would let themselves open to this incandescent wonder - an amazing achievement!
@crieverytim
No cap. This music is hella based. I spin it every Halloween for the kiddos. Definitely need a mondo geeker tho, not for basic peeps. Like this is some shit Kanye would chop or sumthin.
@parmec1875
MASTERPIECE. AMAZING SOUNDS!
@miaouew
I read Garth Marenghi books while listening to this
@goon333
Guaranteed nightmare, enjoy
@briancornish2076
The screaming convergence at the end is terrifying.
@briancornish2076
Like Stockhausen, if you have not actually lived through war, you are unlikely to have a feeling for this. I haven't of course, but this helps me to imagine war, and so to begin to try to reconcile myself to our times.
@the_fifth_wheel
Greek Gods communicating thought waves through time and space
@DimaKats2
I've been reading books about Xenakis, I have a mémoir to write about him, and I've been listening to many of his weird works, this one being one of the weirdest. I like!
@MB-oo5ty
Hello, I am interested in learning more about Iannis's pieces and their relationship with mathematics. Do you have pdfs that talk about the subject? Beforehand thank you very much. Greetings from Mexico.