Musical pioneer Yannis Xenakis dies aged 78
PARIS, Feb. 4 — Romanian-born French composer, architect and mathematician
Yannis Xenakis, who invented a new genre of music composed with the aid of
computers, died on Sunday aged 78.
"France loses one of its most brilliant artists today," French
President Jacques Chirac said in a statement of condolence.
Xenakis, born in Romania to a wealthy family of Greek origin, moved
to Greece in 1932 and subsequently fought with the Greek resistance during
World War Two, losing an eye in battle.
Expelled by Greece in 1947 because of his political beliefs, Xenakis
moved to Paris where he closely collaborated with modernist architect Le
Corbusier for the next 12 years.
Parallel to this, he began studying composition at the Paris
Conservatory under illustrious composers including Olivier Messiaen and
Darius Milhaud.
Xenakis developed a new composing technique using computers and based
on the mathematical probability of the recurrence of notes and rhymes. This
yielded some of his breakthrough works, Metastasis in 1955 and Achorripsis
in 1958.
"By breaking free from the constraints of the classical norm, by
taking the path of random music and by using the inputs of science, he
contributed to the definition of a new area of freedom for musical art,"
Chirac said.
Xenakis became a naturalised French citizen in 1965 and the following
year set up the School of Mathematical and Automatic Music. He leaves behind
a wife and a daughter.
Copyright 2000 Reuters Limited.
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