Feldman, Morton (1926–1987)

US composer. An associate of John Cage and Earle Brown in the 1950s, he devised an indeterminate notation based on high, middle, and low instrumental registers and time cells of fixed duration for his Projection series for various ensembles (1950–51), later exploiting the freedoms of classical notation in a succession of reflective studies in vertical tone mixtures including Madame Press Died Last Week at 90 (1970).

He studied with Stefan Wolpe and Wallingford Riegger. Influenced by abstract expressionist painting, he introduced the element of chance into his music, indicating often only an approximation of what is to be played.

Works Orchestral and instrumental Extensions I–V (1951–60); Durations I–V (1960–61); Vertical Thoughts I–V (1963); Two Instruments for cello and horn; De Kooning for piano, cello, violin, horn, and percussion (1963); ballet Ixion; series of works with orchestra, featuring cello, string quartet, piano, obeo, flute, and violin (1972–79); two string quartets (1979, 1983); Trio (1980); The Turfan Fragments for orchestra (1980); Triadic Memories for piano (1981); For John Cage (1982); violin concerto (1984).

Vocal For Franz Kline for soprano, violin, cello, horn, chimes, and piano; The Swallows of Salangan for chorus and 76 instruments; The Rothko Chapel for viola, chorus, and percussion (1972); The Viola in my Life I–IV (1970–71); Neither, monodrama to text by Beckett for soprano and orchestra (1977); Three Voices for three sopranos, or voice and tape (1982).