Bruno Maderna: His Life and Music

Bruno Maderna was a prominent composer in the 20th century, known for his early success as a child prodigy and his later exploration of total serialism and open form. His work as a conductor influenced his compositional approach, and he developed a particular interest in the theater. Despite his warm and outgoing nature, Maderna rarely expressed his personal views in writing or interviews.

Format: Hardback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Bruno Maderna, a prominent figure in the twentieth century, emerged as one of the most influential composers of his time. Born in the 1920s alongside fellow Italian composers such as Berio, Nono, Donatoni, and others, Maderna's career began shortly before the Second World War and was greatly influenced by the post-war era. His exceptional talent was recognized early on by Gian Francesco Malipiero, who sparked his interest in ancient music, a passion that remained a constant throughout his life. Maderna's musical style evolved from early experiments with "classic" dodecaphony to total serialism and "open form." In his later years, he developed a particular interest in the theater, and his opera "Satyricon" achieved worldwide success. Maderna's approach to composition was shaped by his sensitivity to the public's reaction, and he carefully calibrated his approach without being swayed by fashionable ideals or philosophies. Despite his warm and outgoing nature, Maderna rarely expressed his personal views in writing or interviews. Many of the biographical details provided here are drawn from his correspondence, travel reports, and engagements across the globe, which took him to various countries including the United States, Iran, South America, and Japan.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538172292