A TRUE RENAISSANCE MAN

The visions of R Murray Schafer
by GORDON RUMSON

R Murray Schafer is best known as one of Canada's foremost composers. He has composed many works in all forms such as his giant Patria cycle of operas (for lack of a better term) including the 12 hour long RA and The Princess of Stars which is staged at a wilderness lake. Schafer is also the world's foremost acoustic ecology theorist and a prolific author. In addition this true renaissance man is also a visual artist of considerable attainments.

Schafer's musical scores are frequently attractive in and of themselves with beautiful script and layout, so much so that they have been exhibited in visual arts museums. Sometimes the notation is quite conventional, other times the design is artistic and suggestive.

Continue >>