Thinking Sound Music

The composer's music can be typified as "modern" in craft, but American in character. Shere (a composer and critic) examines Erickson's work within both of these contexts and in a way that is accessible to non-musicians. The biography traces the composer's childhood influences; his studies with Austrian modernist Ernst Krenk; his depression and war years; the early teaching career, and his role as a pioneer of experimental music at the San Francisco Conservatory and the University of California, San Diego. A CD of three of Erickson's works is included with the text, and a list of works by title. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR