Yannay, Yehuda

Yannay, Yehuda , Romanian-born Israeli-American composer, conductor, and teacher; b. Timi§oara, May 26, 1937. He went with his family to Israel in 1951 and studied composition with Boscovich. After graduating from the Rubin Academy of Music in Tel Aviv (1964), he went to the U.S. on a Fulbright grant and pursued training with Berger, Shapero, and Krenek at Brandeis Univ. (M.F.A., 1966). He also studied with Schuller at the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood (summer, 1965) before completing his training at the Univ. of 111. in Urbana (1968-70; D.M.A., 1974). From 1970 he taught theory and composition at the Univ. of Wise, in Milwaukee. In 1971 he organized the “Music from Almost Yesterday” concert series, with which he programmed numerous contemporary scores. In his own extensive and varied output, Yannay has experimented with live electronics, synthesizers, and environmental resources. His experimentation with the synthesizer led to his creation of the genre he described as “synthesizer theater.”

Works

The Chain of Proverbs, youth cantata (1962); Spheres for Soprano and 10 Instruments (1963); Incantations for Voice, Keyboard, and Interior Piano (1964); 2 Fragments for Violin and Piano (1966); Wraphap, theater piece for Actress, Amplified Aluminum Sheet, and Yannaychord (1969); Coloring Book for the Harpist (1969); Concerto for Audience and Orch. (1971); The Hidden Melody for Cello and Horn (1977); Concertino for Violin and Chamber Orch. (1980); Celan Ensembles: Augen-tanz and Galgenlied for Tenor and Instruments (1986- ), In Madness There is Order for Voice, Projections, and Synthesizers (1988), and Spiegeltanz for Voice, Horn, and 2 Marimbas (1989); Duo for Flute and Cello (1991); The Oranur Experiment, music video (part 1, Journey to Orgonon, 1991; in collaboration with J. Fortier); Tableau One:”...in sleep one often finds solutions...” (from Journey to Orgonon) for Actor, Projections, and Synthesizers (1992; in collaboration with J. Fortier and M. Mellott); In Madness There is Order, music video (1992); Cello Solo for “I can’t fathom it” for Projection Theater (1993); 5 Pieces for 3 Players for Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet, and Marimba (1994); Piano Portfolio (1994- ); Exit Music at Century’s End for Chamber Orch. (1995); Tangoul Mortii (Tango of Death) for Double Bass or Cello (1995-97); Radiant, Inner Light for Narrator, Custom Percussion Instruments, and Projections (1999).

— Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn /Dennis McIntire