Avant-garde composer George Crumb, RIP
Avant-garde composer George Crumb has died at 92. The New York Times reports:
George Crumb, a composer who filled his works with a magpie array of instrumental and human sounds and drew on the traditions of Asia and his native Appalachia to create music of startling effect, died on Sunday at his home in Media, Pa. He was 92.
His death was announced by Bridge Records, his record label.
While rejecting the sometimes arid 12-tone technique of Modernists, Mr. Crumb beguiled audiences with his own musical language, composing colorful and concise works that range in mood from peaceful to nightmarish.
He continued to compose late in life. His 90th birthday was celebrated by organizations including the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, which presented the premiere of a new piece for percussion quintet.
Tributes to George came in from fellow musicians, including Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood, Max Richter, Lyra Pramuk, and Patrick Higgins. Watch some videos and read tributes to him below.
Rest in peace, George.
Grammy and Pulitzer award winning composer George Crumb (1929-2022) passed away on February 6, 2022, at age 92, at his Media, PA home. His wife Elizabeth and sons David and Peter were at his side. Dr. Crumb was preceded in death by his daughter Ann Crumb.
— Bridge Records, Inc. (@BridgeRecords) February 6, 2022
RIP George Crumbhttps://t.co/z30fDEDG7L
— Jonny Greenwood (@JnnyG) February 6, 2022
RIP George Crumb, who passed today in my home state of Pennsylvania at 92 years old.
what an icon! preparing a major vocal work of yours at 22 changed my life. blessed to be part of your same American musical lineage. 💓
you reshaped how music could *look* in my brain. pic.twitter.com/A9coXjIL77
— Lyra Pramuk (@lyra_pramuk) February 6, 2022
RIP GEORGE CRUMB— you have touched and activated so many of us : your work harsh and strange, and insistent and beautiful — insisting on peace (!) while showing the depths of viscousness and abjection (!) in the heart of the modern world. Thank you for what you gave and made 🌷
— Patrick Higgins (@pdhiggins) February 7, 2022
Rest in peace George Crumb, a singular musical visionary and wonderfully kind human. I'm so grateful for his guidance when I was just starting out.
For those who don’t know his work, start with “Ancient voices of children”. https://t.co/UmFwQvfL4x— maxrichtermusic (@maxrichtermusic) February 7, 2022
