You can say whatever you want of the Americans, but their pragmatism is often refreshing. American serial composers, for example, are remarkably sober in their theory development and musical application; this in contrast to European serial music, which has never completely separated from its expressionist roots. Milton Babbitt, Allen Forte, George Perle, Charles Wuorinen, Elliott Carter: these are
… names of American music theorists and composers who will say little or nothing to most European music lovers, but who nevertheless played an original role in practically thinking through what Schönberg and the late Stravinksy had failed. Should we conclude from this summary that American serial music is primarily something for a handful of specialists? Probably yes, but not quite. If you find this kind of thing far too difficult, but are still curious about what it is actually about, then listen to the beautiful Oboe Quartet that Elliott Carter wrote for oboist Heinz Holliger. Admittedly, this music is not easily accessible either. Yet this music too wants to be lyrical and expressive in its own way, placing it in the best chamber music traditions of Mozart, Schumann and Brahms. Besides a number of works by Carter, Heinz Holliger and his colleagues also play two chamber music works by the Korean Isang Yun, who passed away in 1995: Piri for oboe solo and the Quartet for oboe and strings. (HJ) this music is not easily accessible either. Yet this music too wants to be lyrical and expressive in its own way, placing it in the best chamber music traditions of Mozart, Schumann and Brahms. Besides a number of works by Carter, Heinz Holliger and his colleagues also play two chamber music works by the Korean Isang Yun, who passed away in 1995: Piri for oboe solo and the Quartet for oboe and strings. (HJ) this music is not easily accessible either. Yet this music too wants to be lyrical and expressive in its own way, placing it in the best chamber music traditions of Mozart, Schumann and Brahms. Besides a number of works by Carter, Heinz Holliger and his colleagues also play two chamber music works by the Korean Isang Yun, who passed away in 1995: Piri for oboe solo and the Quartet for oboe and strings. (HJ)more
