George Antheil: Venus in Africa

George Antheil, the self-proclaimed "bad boy of music," was an American avant-garde composer whose innovative works captured the spirit of the early 20th century. Born in 1900, Antheil's compositions are renowned for their rhythmic vitality, harmonic pungency, and melodic vigor, reflecting his fascination with the mechanical and industrial sounds of his time. Throughout his career, Antheil explored a wide range of genres, from symphonies and chamber works to film scores and operas, amassing over 300 musical works. His early mechanistic scores earned him a reputation for pushing musical boundaries, while his later works, influenced by his film and television compositions, took on a more tonal character. Beyond his musical prowess, Antheil was a versatile writer, penning magazine articles, an autobiography, a mystery novel, and various columns. His legacy endures as a testament to his boundless creativity and unyielding artistic spirit.