Composer

:

Iannis Xenakis

Genre

:

Electronic/Computer

Style

:

Electro-Acoustic Music

Compose Date

:

1957

Average_duration

:

6:57

"Diamorphoses" is a piece of electroacoustic music composed by Iannis Xenakis in 1957. It was premiered at the International Festival of Contemporary Music in Brussels in the same year. The piece is divided into four movements, each with its own unique characteristics. The first movement, titled "Concret PH," is characterized by its use of concrete sounds, which are manipulated and transformed through electronic means. The sounds are often distorted and fragmented, creating a sense of chaos and disorientation. The second movement, "Metastasis," is perhaps the most well-known of the four. It is a study in sound mass, with a dense and constantly shifting texture that creates a sense of movement and progression. The piece is notable for its use of glissandi, which are produced by sliding between pitches on a string instrument. The third movement, "Paille in the Wind," is a more subdued and atmospheric piece. It features a variety of sounds, including wind, water, and bird calls, which are processed and manipulated to create a dreamlike soundscape. The final movement, "La Legende d'Eer," is a dramatic and intense piece that features a combination of electronic sounds and live instruments. It is based on a story from Plato's Republic, in which a soldier is transported to the afterlife and experiences a series of terrifying visions. Overall, "Diamorphoses" is a groundbreaking work that pushed the boundaries of what was possible in electronic music at the time. It is characterized by its use of unconventional sounds and techniques, as well as its exploration of the relationship between sound and space.

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