Music and the USA

Seminars • Abstract • Preparation • Main Text

Introduction

The USA is a complex country, a mixture of ideas, influences and cultures. This diversity is caused by geographical diversity, ethnic mix, public subsidy, or rather the lack of it.

While art music is for the most part based on Europe's classical tradition, politically, the country has an ambiguous relationship with Europe and European culture. Modern American composers have set their sights differently and embraced other influences - oriental, African, Asian and Hispanic.

Consider.

Prepare.

• cage
• carter
• harry partch
• See also introduction to minimalism
• ives - three places in new england
• minimalism

Grove article on North American music [APU Campus only].

Main text (not usually available until after the lecture).