notesdontmatter

Forum – Week 5 – “Pierre Henry” – 03/04/06

One of the two famous Pierre’s of the Music Technology world graced our projector screen with his unique brand of French eccentricity. Opening the documentary with some tools for serious sound capture (one of which was either an employee or his wife, or both), it was clear from the outset that this is a man obsessed with audio. Despite feeling a little alienated by some of his music I couldn’t help but like Pierre, as his quirky style and manner, although potentially construed as harsh, were immediately endearing.

His attention to detail derived via his obsessive nature has enabled him to manufacture works of gargantuan proportions in the isolated world of contemporary art music. I was particularly taken with his idea to place speakers on a stage in much the same fashion as an orchestra would present themselves. Is this his little jab to the ribs of Europe’s classical dinosaurs? Letting them know they’re being replaced by a superior tool of sonic delivery perhaps? We’ll see soon enough I’m sure.


Reference:

Whittington, Stephen. “Forum – Week 5 – “Pierre Henry.” Workshop presented at EMU space, Level 5, Schultz building, University of Adelaide, 3rd of April 2008.

posted by David J Dowling @ 7:13 PM