Arcana is excited to present the second iteration of “Postal Pieces,” a concert featuring living composers in Philadelphia a beyond composing postcard-sized works inspired by James Tenney’s unorthodox set of compositions.
Tenney’s “Postal Pieces,” composed between 1954 and 1971, are a series of ten concise works each printed on a postcard. These pieces capture Tenney’s exploration of sound and form, focusing on minimalist structures, intonation, and what he called “Swell” forms—gradual crescendos and decrescendos that create a unique auditory experience. Conceived originally as musical “letters” to friends and collaborators, such as Pauline Oliveros and La Monte Young, these works reflect Tenney’s deep connections within the avant-garde music scene and his penchant for inviting listeners into meditative states of listening.
Sets of the these newly commissioned postcard works will be available for purchase at the concert, with all proceeds benefiting the Arcana New Music Ensemble. Previous postcard sets will also be available and are available to purchase online.
PROGRAM
Coming Soon
ARCANA NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Coming Soon
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
James Tenney (1934–2006) was an American composer, theorist, and performer renowned for his innovative contributions to experimental and electronic music. A student of notable figures such as Carl Ruggles, Edgard Varèse, and John Cage, Tenney was a central figure in the development of post-war avant-garde music. His work often explored concepts of indeterminacy, microtonality, just intonation, and the physics of sound, integrating mathematical and acoustical theories into his compositions.
Tenney’s diverse output includes works for computer-generated sound, instrumental ensembles, and unconventional notations that challenge traditional musical forms. He was also a significant educator, teaching at the California Institute of the Arts and York University, influencing a generation of composers with his boundary-pushing ideas. His collaborations and associations with artists such as Steve Reich, La Monte Young, and Philip Glass positioned him as a vital connector in the experimental music scene. Tenney’s legacy is marked by his relentless curiosity and his ability to blend rigorous theoretical frameworks with an intuitive approach to sound, profoundly shaping the landscape of contemporary music.
