Xenakis

Iannis Xenakis was born in Braila, Romania in 1922 to Greek parents and is a composer. He studied engineering at Athens University, and worked as an architect for Le Corbusier in Paris. He largely self-taught as a composer, in Paris receiving encouragement from Messiaen. There is a close connection between mathematics and music in his work and with architecture. He did not turn to musical composition until 1954, when he wrote the orchestral piece Metastasis, and went on to develop a highly complex style which incorporated mathematical concepts of chance and probability (so-called stochastic music), as well as electronic techniques. His works are mainly instrumental and orchestral.

In addition to the theoretical writings and teaching of Xenakis, there are a varied series of compositions, from the orchestral Metastasis of 1954, Pithoprakta and Achoripsis, to the Empreintes of 1975 and the 1979 Pleïades, for percussion. Other instrumental music includes works for harpsichord, amplified or, in Khoai, unamplified.