Dieter Schnebel (1930–2018): Radical Reverential Music

by Michael Schell With the passing of Dieter Schnebel on May 20, Germany lost one of its last links to the post-WW2 generation of composers who built a new paradigm of music after the old ideas had been pulverized beneath the … Continue reading

Not Even Harry Partch Can Be An Island

by Michael Schell No one lives up to the American Maverick sobriquet better than Harry Partch (1901–1974), whose hand-built instruments and 43-tone scale will be on display once again at this year’s Harry Partch Festival on May 11–13 at the University of … Continue reading

Women in (New) Music: Remembering Graciela Agudelo (1945–2018)

by Michael Schell Composer Graciela Agudelo, who passed away on April 19, was a well-loved figure within the Mexican new music community, but her work is largely unknown in the United States. This is a shame, because surveying her output reveals it … Continue reading

Frederic Rzewski at 80: Directions Inevitable or Otherwise

by Michael Schell Composer/pianist Frederic Rzewski, who turned 80 on April 13, has had one of the most impactful careers in modern music. He has experimented with, embraced and advanced many of contemporary music’s most significant ideas, and his credits include such … Continue reading