Brian Ferneyhough (Book)
One of contemporary music's most significant and controversial figures, Brian Ferneyhough's music draws inspiration from painting, literature, philosophy and more. This book balances critical analysis of the music and close scrutiny of its aesthetic and philosophical contexts, also examining the issues fundamental to understanding the composer.
Edition
One of contemporary music’s most significant and controversial figures, Brian Ferneyhough's complex and challenging music draws inspiration from painting, literature and philosophy, as well as music from the recent and distant past. His dense, multi-layered compositions intrigue musicians while pushing performer and instrument to the limits of their abilities. A wide-ranging survey of his life and work to date, Brian Ferneyhough examines the critical issues fundamental to understanding the composer as both musician and thinker. Debuting in celebration of Ferneyhough’s 70th birthday in 2013, this book balances critical analysis of the music and close scrutiny of its aesthetic and philosophical contexts, making possible a more rounded view of the composer than has been available hitherto.
Introduction
Chapter 1: Biography: Brian John Peter Ferneyhough (born January 16, 1943)
Chapter 2: Notation
Chapter 3: The Solo Works: ‘Black Scherzo’
Chapter 4: Chamber ‘Concertos’
Chapter 5: Chamber Music
Chapter 6: String Quartet
Chapter 7: Time and Motion Study Cycle
Chapter 8: Carceri d’Invenzione: Style and Invention
Chapter 9: Shadowtime
Chapter 10: Works for Orchestra and Large Ensemble
Chapter 11: Aesthetics
'This is a book of enormous value, plentifully and always usefully illustrated with music examples'
'Brian Ferneyhough serves as a significant inclusion in the literature specific to Ferneyhough, and to the principles of the New Complexity in general.'