Dane Rudhyar, talking with
Vivian Perlis
San Jacinto, California
March 18, 1970
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Side a: pp. 1-12
Early years--move to America--Alfred Laliberté, introduction to music of Scriabin--anecdote about Rodin--more on early American years--dance poems--meeting Henry Cowell, 1921--Salzedo, Varèse--Leo Ornstein--Varèse and International Composers Guild--Scriabin and theosophism--interest in Oriental philosophy, music--more on Scriabin's music--acquaintance with Charles Ives.
Side b: pp. 12-23
More on Ives (extended)--Lou Harrison--Rudhyar's music and politics of competitions--anecdote about Goossens--technical ability of modern performers--need for revision and orchestration of Rudhyar's early piano works-- John Kirkpatrick's and Lou Harrison's work on Ives--anecdote about application for Guggenheim grant; Ruth Crawford--non-acceptance of Rudhyar's music and his growing interest in other areas (astrology and psychology)--numerous writings on astrology.
Side c: pp. 23-34
Friendship with William Masselos, visit to New York in 1948--experience as painter--more on astrological writings--philosophies of life--more discussion of Rudhyar's music and influences upon it--speech--oriented music vs. dance--oriented music--opinions on multi-media experiments-- comments on Sacre, Les Noces, Carl Orff, Penderecki--electronic music-- article appearing in Modern Music on Buddhist gongs--misguided musicological research into ethnic music--views on jazz, popular music, movements of young people of the late '60s.
AMERICAN MUSIC SERIES OHV 3 g-j
Dane Rudhyar
with Vincent Plush
Palo Alto, California
November 24, 1982
Table of Contents
Side g pp. 1-15
Idea of culture from The Magic of Tone and The Art of Music -- book about Debussy -- first performance of The Rite of Spring -- first compositions at age 16 -- performance of first orchestral work in New York -- Canada -- break with French culture, language, and name -- writing music in California -- study of oriental philosophy and music -- Alfred LaLiberte -- The Rediscovery of Music -- The Rebirth of Hindu Music -- meeting Stokowski, Ornstein and other musicians at Seal harbor, Maine -- Soul Fire -- Henry Cowell -- publication of his works in New Music -- Sinfonietta.
Side h pp. 15-22
Music as sound, expression of life, or language of the psyche -- writing poetry -- writing for piano -- Scriabin --influence of the spiritual on his music -- need to hear and feel the music -- The Astrology of Transformation -- lack of concern with technical dimensions of composing -- The Rebirth of Hindu Music -- importance of basic attitude to life -- technique of no value after it is gained.
Side i pp. 22-37
Technique -- music in the hands of universities -- French reaction to World War II -- period of not composing -- writing on astrology -- Varèse -- music as cosmic energy -- Ives -- writing poetry and painting as alternative creative outlets -- sees his purpose as sowing ideas for future generations -- overcoming negative aspects of one's cultural milieu in order to go beyond it -- his role in evolutionary process -- America not ready for his music nor for underlying ideas -- response to suggestion that his removal from world of music was result of reaction of musical establishment to his music.
Side j pp. 37-48
Thinking process different from other people's -- move to California -- Esalen -- changes in human relationships and psychologizing of everything -- feelings about how flower children turned out - thoughts about whether there might be a receptive climate for his music now -- ideas about chances for humanity -- overpopulation -- earth as a living organism.