Speaking of Music:
David Lang

Charles Amirkhanian interviews composer David Lang, on February 15, 1990, as part of the San Francisco Exploratorium’s Speaking of Music series. Lang plays recordings of two of his orchestral works, including the world premier performance of his “Eating Live Monkeys”. Lang talks about some of the difficulties of writing new music for orchestras, including the typical lack of rehearsal time. Lang also describes his compositional techniques and his somewhat heretical opinion that notes are not the most significant part of his works. A self-described post-ugly music composer Lang’s compositions try to go beyond the dissonance that marked much of 20th century music, while still salvaging their ability to challenge both the listener and performer. In addition to his composing Lang is also one of the founders of the New York based Bang on a Can Festival, one of the premiere American festivals devoted to new and unusual music. Lang also discusses the travails of young composers trying to get their music played as well as the unfortunate friction between Uptown and Downtown music. Also heard during the program are examples of Lang's chamber music as well as two live performances of his works for piano, performed by Gloria Cheng and Julie Steinberg.