Apollonian Clockwork

Louis Andriessen (1939) is widely regarded as a central figure in the international new music scene. Performers of his work include the two Dutch groups named after his works De Volharding and Hoketus, the Asko/Schoenberg Ensemble, London Sinfonietta, Ensemble Modern and Bang On A Can All Stars. Amongst his many works for music theater are collaborations with Peter Greenaway (Rosa, Writing to Vermeer) and Hal Hartley. Elmer Schönberger (1950) is a musicologist, composer and writer. From 1976 to 2004 he was head music critic for the Dutch weekly Vrij Nederland. His most recent book was about musical essays named Het Gebroken Oor (2005), his most recent composition Dressing Old Words new (2005) and his most recent theater play Naar Moskou, Moskou (2005).

• Acknowledgements - 10 Contents - 14 Translator's Note - 16 Preface - 18 Chapter I - 20 Chapter II - 82 Chapter III - 156 Chapter IV - 221 Chapter V - 274 List of Sources - 296 Index - 306

"If you have any abiding interest in 20th-century music, buy this book and read it at once. If music as culture means anything to you, buy this book. It made so little splash the first time around that I've hardly run into anyone who's aware of it. But any composer living would give his left arm to be assured that so witty, wise, creative, simpatico, and insightful a book would be written about him after his death. Richard Taruskin has aptly called it "The one book about Stravinsky Stravinsky would have liked." And, thanks to an editorial miracle, it has reappeared after some 15 years' unforgivable absence." Kyle Gann - Village Voice