Contemporary American Composers

In the preface to his work, Rupert Hughes explains his motivation and method for writing this historical account of American composers. Being a musician himself, he was interested to know who of merit was a native composer. He found it difficult to obtain such information, so he resolved to research contemporary composers, listen to and read their scores and make his own judgements. This wide-ranging book is the result.

In this collection of essays and interviews, nine gifted composers openly discuss their work.

" . . . Strickland's own deep involvement with the works of these composers [is] revealed by the questions and comments he poses in an appreciative, Paterian way. His profound pleasure in these works also leads him to scrutinize and challenge them intimately." —Publishers Weekly "This is an indispensable book about American music . . . " —Fanfare " . . . exhilarating . . . Any of the interviews in American Composers will stimulate your curiosity and appetite." —Hungry Mind Review " . . . not only engaging, but also a useful representation of the major compositional styles of the 1980s and their corresponding practitioners." —Notes Philip Glass, Keith Jarrett, Meredith Monk, and eight other active American composers reveal a broad spectrum of musical personalities in these candid, in-depth conversations. Witty and articulate, their remarks convey the great vitality, diversity, and distinctiveness of today's American music.

In the preface to his work, Rupert Hughes explains his motivation and method for writing this historical account of American composers. Being a musician himself, he was interested to know who of merit was a native composer. He found it difficult to obtain such information, so he resolved to research contemporary composers, listen to and read their scores and make his own judgements. This wide-ranging book is the result.

A collection of interviews with the late John Cage and 24 other American composers of experimental music. The book provides a guide to experimentalism and minimalism, and reflects the crossing of boundaries between art and various musical genres - jazz, pop, rock and minimalism.