We are surrounded by way of sounds forever, yet we have a tendency to not pay attention them; our brains are excellent at enhancing what our ears decide up. If we cease for a second to pay attention, there they're: the ticking clock, site visitors noise, fragments of dialog, a passing aircraft. those are examples of what the yankee composer John Cage referred to as “illegal harmony”.

In reaction to the noisiest century in historical past, sleek composers have constantly flown within the face of musical orthodoxy. As know-how has replaced at an unparalleled expense, so have musical types – occasionally to the dismay of audiences and critics.

In Illegal Harmonies, Andrew Ford charts the process track within the live performance corridor and opera condo over the past hundred years, linking it to advancements in literature, theatre, cinema and the visible arts, and to renowned song from Irving Berlin to the Beatles to rap. the result's a stimulating, provocative and informative cultural heritage. This revised 3rd version features a new preface and prolonged epilogue, bringing the tale into the twenty-first century.

‘brilliant’— the Age

‘Modern audiences have to methods to hear and Andrew Ford may be simply the guy to do the teaching.’— Australian monetary Review

‘Illegal Harmonies is a booklet very challenging to place down. It brims with valuable information.’— Quadrant

‘You may well write a evaluate of this booklet in 4 phrases: purchase it and rejoice.’— Geoffrey Tozer, 24 Hours

Andrew Ford is the writer of Try Whistling This, Earth Dances, unlawful Harmonies and The Sound of Pictures. he's a composer and broadcaster and provides The track Show on ABC Radio National.