Customer Reviews

New Musical Resources

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While these resources aren't new anymore, I have used some of his ideas as springboards for some of my own compositions. The section on rhythm as well as the section on Tone Combinations were particularly interesting. These are some ideas that I wish would influence music outside of the classical realm more. Too many kids are stuck in a bland world of 4/4 rhythm, and tonal theory learned from half a**ed guitar lessons.

This book is important in its own rights AND as a source for the John Cage-oriented composer and an origin to the more famous theory texts by Karlheinz Stockhausen (who never mentioned this influence, as far as I know!). It's amazing how advanced a vision the young Cowell had - he began writing the texts in 1916 at the age of 17! Maybe Stockhausen used the theories artistically more satisfying and Cage became more famous, but read the book anyway and - by the way - listen to Cowells music!

Cowell was a friend of Charles Ives. Both were naturals, instinctual innovators. This book is dated somewhat, but I still give it five stars for its forward vision. Rhythmically Cowell was as important in his ideas as Stravinsky I believe. You'll find all the rhythmic and metrical invention that we see daily in the works of Carter, for instance. There is nothing like it. I highly recommend this for composers.