Luciano Berio (1925 - )
Italian composer of the avant-garde,
developed an interest in electronic
music after his first visit to the United States. He has frequently
combined performances with electronic tapes. His most significant
works show a deep concern for music combined with gesture and dramatic
action. "Circles" (1960), a setting of poems by e.e. cummings for
voice, harp, and percussion instruments, is designed for visual and spatial
realization. Berio's further involvement with music and dramatic
action, as well as the relations between words and music, is illustrated
in his opera "Passaggio" (1961-1962), and the composition "Visages" (1961),
a taped composition using both electronic and vocal sounds. Many
of these compositions were written for his wife, Cathy Berberian.
"Recital I (for Cathy, 1962)" includes a tour de force catalogue of vocal
and dramatic styles.