Edgard Varese

Edgard Varese

French-American composer, one of the pioneers of electronic and concrete music.
Date of Birth: 22.12.1883
Country: USA

Content:
  1. Biography of Edgar Varèse
  2. American Years
  3. Avant-Garde Works
  4. Revival and Electronic Innovation

Biography of Edgar Varèse

Edgar Varèse was a French-American composer, known as one of the pioneers of electronic and concrete music. He was born in France and was the son of an engineer. Varèse studied at the Turin Conservatory, the Parisian Schola Cantorum, and the Paris Conservatory. During his youth, he was greatly influenced by the works of Claude Debussy.

American Years

In 1915, Varèse moved to New York, where he became associated with the Dadaist circle of Marcel Duchamp. In 1921, he completed "Amériques," his first work in his unique avant-garde style. Varèse co-founded the International Guild of Composers with Carlos Salzedo, and after becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1927, the organization was replaced by the Pan-American Association of Composers.

Avant-Garde Works

During the 1920s, Varèse composed several notable works, including "Sacrifices," "Hyperprism," "Octandre," "Intégrales," and "Arcana." However, from 1936 to 1954, Varèse experienced a creative crisis and was unable to complete any significant compositions during these twenty years.

Revival and Electronic Innovation

In 1954, Varèse broke his silence with the composition "Deserts," which incorporated magnetic tape in addition to traditional instruments. In 1958, his "Electronic Poem" was performed at the World's Fair in Brussels, using 300 speakers to create a revolutionary audio experience.

Edgar Varèse's contributions to electronic music and his avant-garde style continue to influence contemporary composers to this day. Despite experiencing periods of creative challenges, Varèse's innovative approach to composition left a lasting impact on the world of music.

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