Arcana II: Musicians on Music Book

Through these Arcana volumes John Zorn is addressing a much needed resource for documenting the thinking and writings of people passionately involved in making music within an underground culture. By necessity, these essays are uneven. The open inclusiveness of these writings brings with it the good and the bad. What is striking is the presence of academic writings of frustrating opacity along side less formal (and often undisciplined) writings of striking clarity. There are also densely academic writings written with almost lyrical appeal along side less disciplined writings with all the frustrating opacity of any peer-review journal submission. What emerges is the sometimes messy and inspired collection of ideas that animate composers. An invaluable insight into what makes the "downtown" scene tick.