Iannis Xenakis

The Profile

Iannis Xenakis (1922–2001) was a Greek-French composer and architect-engineer known for pioneering stochastic composition and large-scale electroacoustic works. He collaborated with Le Corbusier and fused mathematics, architecture, and sound into a singular avant-garde language.

Greek-French composer and architect; born 1922, died 2001; collaborated with Le Corbusier; pioneer of stochastic and computer-assisted composition; major works include Metastaseis, Pithoprakta, Psappha, Persepolis, La Légende d’Eer, Pléïades, Bohor, Diamorphoses and Concret PH.

Three reviews focus on Xenakis’s electronic and percussion work. Persepolis is set in 1971 Iran with large-scale speakers and light projections. The Electronic Music anthology traces early GRM-era pieces (Diamorphoses, Concret PH, Bohor, Orient-Occident) and late S. 709. Pléïades spotlights sixxen metals and dense polyrhythms. Across reviews: math-driven, architectural, stochastic thinking—and strong praise.