Density 21.5

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Irna Priore, Associate Professor of Music Theory (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: As a flute student, I was aware of discussions concerning a possible wrong note in the score of Edgard Varèse's Density 21.5. When I shifted my focus from the flute to music theory, Tadeu Coelho asked me for an analysis to support such a claim. A student of Thomas Nyfenger in the late 1970s, Tadeu recalled that Nyfenger corrected measure 23 so that the sharp attributed to the first grace note did not carry over to the Bs that follow. In other words each B after the grace note is B natural. Evidently Nyfenger received a call from Varèse after performing Density on a national broadcast. Nyfenger expected to be congratulated by the composer, but was shocked and offended (an understatement for those who knew Tom) that Varèse called to rebuke him. Varèse said that Nyfenger played a wrong note in measure 23 and Nyfenger responded defensively that he had only played what was in the score. "That is exactly the point," replied Varèse. "There is a wrong note in the score."

Additional Information

Publication
Flute Talk Magazine, Volume 20, No. 3, November 2000, 20
Language: English
Date: 2000
Keywords
flute, Density 21.5, Edward Varese, Nyfenger

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