Xenakis and His Legacy

The New England Conservatory music theory department and EMMA project (Electronic, Microtonal, Multimedia, Algorithmic), in collaboration with the Greek Institute of Cambridge, present performances of music by Iannis Xenakis (1922–2001) and by some contemporary composers who look to Xenakis for inspiration. Ensemble works are conducted by Jeffrey Means and Stratis Minakakis.

Born in Romania of Greek parentage, Xenakis was active in France and the U.S. In addition to his musical influences, Xenakis's musical ideas were also strongly determined by his work as an assistant to modernist architect Le Corbusier, as he typically derived sonic form from mathematical concepts. Xenakis founded the Center for Musical Mathematics and Automation, and his working principles survive today at two institute based in France and the U.S.: the Centre Iannis Xenakis (CIX) and the Xenakis Project of the Americas (XPA).

Iannis Xenakis
Psappha performed by David Tarantino, percussion
Dikhthas performed by Diamanda LaBerge Dramm, violin, and Aaron Likness, piano
Anaktoria for eight instrumentalists

Yorgos Adamis
Anypotaktos for chamber orchestra

Trevor Bača
Čáry performed by Jessi Rosinski, flute

Katarina Miljkovic
GO for sho and ensemble

Stratis Minakakis
Post-Echoi for piano concertante and chamber ensemble, with piano soloist Aaron Likness

A conference held at NEC on November 11 provides background on Xenakis and the music performed on this concert.