Brian Ferneyhough
Brian Ferneyhough
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Brian Ferneyhough is widely known by his full name, although some sources refer to him as Brian Fernyhough.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on October 16, 1943, Brian Ferneyhough passed away on September 2, 2020 at the age of 76.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Brian Ferneyhough was a British composer known for his innovative and complex works in contemporary classical music. His nationality is often associated with British musical traditions, yet his work transcends national boundaries.
Early Life and Background
Born in England, Ferneyhough began his musical journey early on, being introduced to various instruments by his parents. He demonstrated a natural affinity for composition from an early age, which led him to study music at the Royal Academy of Music in London. This foundation laid the groundwork for his future endeavors as a composer.
Major Accomplishments
Throughout his illustrious career, Ferneyhough made significant contributions to contemporary classical music. Some notable achievements include:
Ferneyhough's compositions are renowned for pushing the boundaries of traditional harmony and form. He was part of the New Complexity movement in the 1970s, alongside other influential composers like Elliott Carter and György Ligeti.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Ferneyhough's most celebrated works include:
Cinderella, a complex orchestral composition that combines elements of fairy tale narrative with modernist musical experimentation.
Eras,** a piece for large ensemble that features intricate instrumental textures and explores the relationship between sound and silence.
Impact and Legacy
Brian Ferneyhough's impact on contemporary classical music is multifaceted. His innovative approach to composition has influenced generations of composers, encouraging them to experiment with new sounds and forms. Through his work, he continues to inspire musicians and audiences alike, fostering a deeper appreciation for the complexities and possibilities of modern classical music.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Brian Ferneyhough is widely quoted and remembered for his groundbreaking compositions, which have had a profound impact on the world of contemporary classical music. His innovative approach to form and harmony has left an indelible mark on the genre, inspiring countless musicians and composers to push beyond traditional boundaries.
Quotes by Brian Ferneyhough
When I speak of 'cycles,' I am referring to lengthy intervals of relative homogeneity, if not in the resolving of problems, than at least with respect to the consistency of their capacity to productively irritate.
In my model, important interference phenomena arise when individual strata come into contact. These chaotic fluctuations are, I suppose, what my music is really 'about.'
Composers dialogue – and obsessively, bitterly argue – with other composers, often over the span of several centuries.
When I speak of “cycles,” I am referring to lengthy intervals of relative homogeneity, if not in the resolving of problems, than at least with respect to the consistency of their capacity to productively irritate.
I would not say that I was, these days, a ‘student’ of philosophy, although in my youth I was quite deeply involved with certain aspects of the British pragmatists.
The idea of ‘machine assemblage’ is, especially, very alien to my sensibility, since it suggests a relative indifference of the strata to one another during the process of construction.
I suppose that the scope and implications of such forces have rendered my personal accounting ritual pretty much obsolete. That’s how things sometimes go.
I don’t like listening to my music, not even new pieces. Generally, they sound pretty much like I expected them to sound, so it’s what I wanted, and that’s it.
I frequently compose out the entire metric structure of a piece in modified cyclic form, where each cyclic revolution undergoes some form of ‘variation’ much as if measure lengths were concrete musical ‘material.’
Naturally enough, I couldn’t have foreseen the vast sea change which has come upon that scene as a result of German reunification and associated events.