James Tenney Essentials

Composer, music theorist and enemy of the status quo, James Tenney's almost-unclassifiable efforts in 20th century American music comprise an utterly unique corner of the canon. In the '60s, Tenney was one of the very first composers of computer music, but he focused on instrumental works featuring unconventional ensembles for the majority of his career. Among other fascinating leaps forward, listen for Tenney's manipulation of Elvis Presley's voice in an early instance of sampling that dates back to '61, as well as a piece of stochastically determined tones to be performed by a player piano.