Books and Miscellaneous Reviews - John Zorn : Arcana VII (book)

The acclaimed Arcana series, now in its seventh installment, is a small step toward educating the interested listener about the inner workings of the artistic process and is a major source on new music theory and practice in the 21st century. Rather than an attempt to reduce, distill or define a musician’s work, Arcana illuminates via personal vision and experience through the words of the practitioners themselves. Essential for composers, musicians, students and fans alike, this challenging and original series provides insight into the work, mind and methodologies of some of the most remarkable creative minds of our time.

The most varied collection to date, Arcana VII includes personal essays by New Music luminaries Pat Metheny, Bryce Dessner, Irvine Arditti, Thurston Moore, Kenny Werner, Eugene Chadbourne, and David Krakauer alongside articles on musical theory and practice by veterans Joe Morris, Matt Shipp, Ben Goldberg, Ches Smith, George Steel, Billy Martin, Hilda Paredes and Gloria Coates and insightful new views by young master musicians Chris Otto, James Moore, Theresa Wong, Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz, Jay Campbell, Du Yun, James Ilgenfritz, Chuck Bettis, Aya Nishina and many others. A kaleidoscope of manifestoes, scores, interviews, critical papers, musical studies, rants, raves and more, Arcana VII is a fascinating compendium from first word to last.