Milton Babbitt

Brief bio of Milton Babbitt by Tim Page.

Babbitt doesn't understand why he's so misunderstood but suspects it has to do with what he has verbally rather than muiscally. In particular, technical articles. Story about addressing Society for Music Theory in California. He cares about people listening to his work and how they listen to his works. Hopes to continue what Schoenburg began. How he is misunderstood. Work within the university. The 'grubby aspect' of being a composer. Has tried to convey the difficulty of composing works that do not have a broad audience.

Recalls the 1930s when there were very few composers compared with the large number today. Talks about Jerome Kern, a favorite of his and his work, All Set.

Musical Segment: All Set from 1957.

Milton Babbitt talks about his Second String Quartet of 1954.

Musical Segment: Second String Quartet - 1954.

Babbitt talks about electronic music and the Princeton-Columbia Electronic Music Center.

Musical Segment: Reflections for Piano and Tape Sounds. Pianist - Robert Miller.

Babbitt talks about the influences during his early years and advice to young composers. Range of musics available today is great and should be taken avantage of.

WNYC archives id: 13806