A TRUE RENAISSANCE MAN

The visions of R Murray Schafer
by GORDON RUMSON

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In each case the visual component is intended to articulate some aspect of the sound and most significantly some aspect of the sound reproduction process. For example in Example 4 the swirls correspond visually to the electronic tape sounds. A superficial comparison might be made with some of the scores of George Crumb, though Schafer is much more rigorous, artistic and precise in theoretic underpinnings. Needless to say Schafer has written extensively and profoundly on the nature of the visual score to its acoustic realisation.

As evidenced by Schafer's long-standing commitment to dramatic and theatrical music, the images that appear in some of the scores are clearly intended to awaken or inspire certain emotions and ideas in the people who are making use of the scores.

Example 5: Apocalypsis, Part One: John's Vision,
(Indian River, Ontario: Arcana Editions, 1977) p. 14.
Reproduced here with permission.

Or these images of Egyptian art which decorate the score of RA:

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