Experimental Music

Toneburst Laptop Ensemble and Electronic Arts Ensemble

This course is a survey of recent electronic and instrumental works, with emphasis on the works of American composers. Starting with early experimentalists John Cage and Henry Cowell, germinal works of Earl Brown, Christian Wolff, and Morton Feldman will be studied; followed by more recent electronic and minimal works of La Monte Young, Terry Riley, David Behrman, Gordon Mumma, Robert Ashley, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, and Meredith Monk; finishing with younger crossover composers, including Laurie Anderson, Glenn Branca, John Zorn, and others.

The course includes lectures, demonstrations, and performances, occasionally by guest lecturers.