Film UbuWebGlenn Branca (1948-2018)
James D. Rosenberg - Glenn Branca - Dissonance (Cincinnati) (1980)
Glenn Branca was a composer whose work included music for experimental rock bands, large ensemble instrumentals for electric guitars, symphonies for both electric instrumentation and acoustic orchestras, chamber ensemble pieces for a wide variety of instrumentation (both electric and acoustic), an opera, a ballet, choral works, and music for film, dance, theater, and art installations. He invented The Harmonics Guitar and a theory of music based on the Harmonic Series and various tuning systems. He designed and built many of the instruments used in his pieces. He also founded The No Wave Movement that started in downtown New York City during the late 1970s that is now an international movement in the underground music scene. Branca collaborated with artists including Twyla Tharp, David Bowie, Peter Greenaway, Eiko and Koma, Eric Bogosian, Robert Longo, Laura Dean, and Dan Graham.