George Antheil - Keys Of Rebellion (Jones-Stubbs) (Full Album)

George Antheil - Keys Of Rebellion (Full Album)

George Antheil (1900-1959) was an American composer, pianist, and author known for his bold and unconventional approach to music. Often referred to as the "Bad Boy of Music" (a nickname he embraced as the title of his autobiography), Antheil was a leading figure in the avant-garde and modernist music scenes of the early 20th century.

Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Antheil was a prodigious talent on the piano from a young age. He moved to Europe in the 1920s, where he became deeply involved in the artistic movements of the time, particularly in Paris. There, he associated with influential figures such as Ezra Pound, James Joyce, and Ernest Hemingway, as well as fellow musicians and composers like Erik Satie and Igor Stravinsky.

Antheil’s early works, especially his Ballet Mécanique (1924), are emblematic of his experimental spirit. The Ballet Mécanique is a groundbreaking composition originally written for synchronized player pianos, percussion, and airplane propellers, reflecting his fascination with machines and the modern industrial age. This piece, with its mechanical rhythms and unconventional instrumentation, positioned Antheil at the forefront of musical innovation and stirred considerable controversy and excitement in the avant-garde community.

Despite his avant-garde beginnings, Antheil’s later works showed a more traditional and accessible style, blending elements of American folk music, jazz, and classical traditions. He composed symphonies, operas, chamber music, and film scores, demonstrating his versatility and adaptability as a composer.

In addition to his musical career, Antheil was also an inventor and a writer. He collaborated with actress Hedy Lamarr on an early version of frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology, which later became the basis for modern wireless communication methods, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

George Antheil’s legacy is that of a daring and innovative composer who pushed the boundaries of music while also contributing to technological advancements. His work continues to be appreciated for its audacity, creativity, and unique place in the history of 20th-century music.

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