Edgard Varese was an influential 20th century composer known as "The Stratospheric Colossus of Sound." He developed the concept of organized sound and experimented with form, texture, electronics, percussion, and taped sounds. Some of his notable works include Ameriques (1918), an orchestral piece written after he immigrated to the U.S. that emulates activities on the Hudson River, and Poeme Electronique (1958), one of the first fully electronic pieces created for the Brussels World's Fair using both electronics and collaboration. Varese worked in avant-garde, vocal, chamber, and orchestral genres throughout his career.

1. Edgard Varese
1883-1965

2. Background
 Thought of as one of the most influential
musicians of the 20th century.
 “The Stratospheric Colossus of Sound”
 Developed concept of organized sound
leading to experiments regarding form and
texture.
 One of the first to work with electronics,
percussion, and taped sounds.

3. Genres of Work
 Throughout his
career, Varese
worked in:
-Avant-Garde
Music
-Vocal Music
-Chamber Music
-Orchestral

4. Ameriques (Part 1) - 10:01
 Written in 1918 after Varese had immigrated
to the U.S. from Europe.
 "...all discoveries, all adventures. (America)
meant the unknown. And in this symbolical
sense -- new worlds on this planet, in outer
space, and in the minds of men -- I gave the
title signifying 'Americas' to the first work I
wrote in America” (Varese 1918).
 Piece emulates activities of NY’s Hudson
River of the time.

5. Reactions
 Very active sound, similarities to film
scores of the 70s and 80s.
 Gives a sense of personality to the
workspace.
 Dramatic shifts.

6. Poeme Electronique - 08:07
 Created for 1958’s Brussels Worlds Fair
as Part of a Multi-Media Presentation.
 One of the First Pieces Realized in Full
Though Electronics.
 The Collaboration Between Le
Corbusier and Varese Allowed for a
Unique Piece.

7. Reactions
 Combination of Electronic Sounds,
Components.
 Sense of Entering a Different World.
 Unfamiliarity, Distress.

8. The Well of the Souls
John Williams