Anyone who has been to a concert of contemporary music will be able to recall any compositions written by George Crumb as the music that probably left the longest-lasting impression. These works seem to be borne of a strange world, using anything conventional in a different way, and requiring a whole new set of ears in order to understand. This music is immensely intriguing, bringing ||a whole new meaning to the word innovation: harmony, rhythm, and melody have been ingeniously placed in a totally new context, the context of foreign timbres. Each instrument becomes a vehicle for sounds from an imaginary cosmos. Even the enormous scores are innovative; they also literally bring the music into a totally new context in which spheres and ellipses give to the music a visual quality.
The greater part of Crumb's well-known works have been composed very recently-from the early 60's to early 80's, so the influence they have upon music of fhe late twentieth century is yet to be seen, possibly because it is so futuristic.. Nevertheless, the study of Crumb's music is an essential part of any study of twentieth-century music literature. Although a book by Gillespie, George (a compendium of program notes), is an exception, it is a paradox that so few works have been written about Crumb and his music. It is no wonder there remains such a void in the understanding of this music. ...