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Composer

 

Harley Gaber was an American composer and visual artist, born on April 14, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Gaber began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and the bass. He attended the University of Illinois, where he studied composition with Salvatore Martirano and Lejaren Hiller. Gaber's early works were influenced by the avant-garde music of the 1960s, particularly the works of John Cage and Morton Feldman. He was also interested in the visual arts and began experimenting with multimedia works that combined music, film, and performance art. In 1967, he moved to New York City, where he became involved in the downtown music scene and worked with artists such as La Monte Young, Terry Riley, and Philip Glass. One of Gaber's most significant works is "The Winds Rise in the North," a composition for solo violin and tape that he wrote in 1973. The piece is based on a Japanese folk song and features the violinist playing long, sustained notes while the tape provides a background of wind sounds. The work is notable for its use of extended techniques, such as harmonics and glissandi, and its exploration of the relationship between sound and silence. In the late 1970s, Gaber began to focus more on visual art, creating large-scale installations and sculptures that incorporated sound and light. He continued to compose music, however, and in 1984 he wrote "The Realm of Indra's Net," a work for string quartet that was inspired by Buddhist philosophy. The piece features slow, meditative melodies that are played in unison by the four instruments, creating a sense of unity and harmony. Gaber's later works were characterized by their simplicity and minimalism. He often used just a few notes or chords, repeating them over and over to create a hypnotic effect. One example of this is "In Memoriam 2010," a composition for solo cello that he wrote in memory of his friend and collaborator, the cellist Charlotte Moorman. The piece consists of a single chord that is played continuously for 20 minutes, creating a sense of timelessness and contemplation. Throughout his career, Gaber was known for his uncompromising approach to music and art. He rejected the commercialism and mainstream appeal of much contemporary music, instead focusing on creating works that were deeply personal and reflective. He passed away on July 16, 2011, leaving behind a legacy of innovative and thought-provoking works that continue to inspire and challenge audiences today.

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