Iannis Xenakis

The Profile

Iannis Xenakis (1922–2001) was a Greek-born composer, architect and theorist who lived and worked in France. He studied/assisted Le Corbusier, pioneered the use of mathematical models and probability (stochastic music) in composition, and was an influential figure in electronic and percussion music.

Born 29 May 1922 (Greece), died 4 February 2001 (France). Active as composer from the mid-20th century until his death. Took part in Greek resistance and was wounded; later moved to France and worked with Le Corbusier. Pioneered stochastic composition and applied mathematics to music, produced influential electroacoustic works (e.g., Diamorphoses, Concret PH, Orient-Occident), composed Persepolis for a multi-speaker diffusion (the original Persepolis project involved multi-channel speaker deployment), and wrote landmark percussion work Pléiades for six performers (including custom instruments such as the sixxen).

DeBaser reviews praise Xenakis's pioneering electroacoustic and percussion works and emphasize his use of mathematical and architectural methods. Persepolis and Pléïades are highlighted for their innovation and dramatic sound. Some reviewers critique modern remixes of Persepolis as ill-fitting.