Alvin Lucier is a composer of experimental music and sound installations (USA). During his lifetime, he received the title of guru of experimental music. He was one of the brightest innovative maestro.
The 45-minute recording of I Am Sitting In A Room has become the most popular work of the American composer. In the piece of music, he repeatedly re-recorded the echo of his own voice, reflected from the walls of the room. After the release of the composition, he dropped the phrase that became a quote: "Every room has its own sound."
Childhood and youth Alvin Lucier
He was born in mid-May 1931. His childhood was spent in Nashua. Since childhood, he gravitated towards music, which later influenced the choice of profession.
After receiving the matriculation certificate, he faced a difficult choice. He studied at Yale and Brandeis Universities. In addition, at the end of the 50s, the young man honed his composing skills under the strict guidance of Lukas Foss and Aaron Copland.
A year later, he won a scholarship to study in the capital of Italy. He spent two whole years in Rome. During this period of time, the musician attends a John Cage concert. John's musical compositions turn Lussier's mind upside down.
During the two years that the composer spent in Rome, he composes an impressive number of skillful chamber and orchestral compositions. During the period of writing the works, he was under the impression of the system of serialism in music. Upon returning to the territory of the United States of America, he takes the place of the artistic director of the student choir.
Reference: Serialism is a technique of musical composition mainly in Western European music of the second half of the XNUMXth century.
Alvin Lucier: the creative path of the composer
In 63, the maestro's team performed at one of the best venues in New York. At the same time, Lucie had a chance to meet Gordon Mumma and Robert Ashley. The latter - held senior positions in ONCE-FESTIVAL. They approached the composer and invited the choir, which he led, to perform on their "territory" in the 64th year.
A few years later, the maestro invites the above-mentioned musicians to organize a joint concert. It was an amazing sight. The performance of the musicians turned out to be so successful that under the guise of Sonic Arts Union they skated a big tour across the territory of the United States of America and Europe. The collab of artists continued until the 76th year. The musical event was held according to a clear algorithm.
In the 70th year, Lussier holds high positions at the University of Wales. Until the late 70s he was also the music director of the Viola Farber Dance Company.
The most popular musical compositions of an American composer
As soon as the maestro was fascinated by experimental music, he immediately began his creative search. He literally devoted himself to the study of acoustic phenomena and sound perception. He managed to create a number of compositions that have become classics of sound art.
In his discography there are works imbued with an excellent sense of humor. Namely, in Nothing Is Real, the maestro makes the musician play the melody of the band's track "The Beatles"Strawberry fields forever", scattering the phrases of the piece of music across the entire range of the piano.
Unlike his contemporaries, he did not use modern technology in the course of creating musical works. He turned to journalists with a request not to talk about his music "electronic". He preferred to classify his creations as experimental works.
Alvin Lussier is the author of Notes on Experimental Music. In the publication, the maestro talks about the most important figures and new techniques of the XNUMXth century, conveying through colorful speech the feelings and colors of the most important time for experimental music.
Alvin Lussier: details of the composer's personal life
In the 60s, he began to build a relationship with a girl named Marie. She became his first wife, but in 1972 the couple filed for divorce. Lussier never commented on his personal life, therefore, what caused the divorce is not known.
Some time later, he proposed marriage to Wendy Stokes. This woman inspired him. He lived a happy life with her.
Death of Alvin Lussier
He passed away on December 1, 2021. He died at his home in Middletown, Connecticut. The cause of death was complications from the fall.
