Louis Andriessen is one of the most important contemporary composers you’ve (probably) never heard of. His work isn’t widely played because he’s written many pieces for varieties of ensembles that don’t exist. In fact, specially created ensembles have sprung up because of Andriessen’s pieces, including the famous British ensemble, Icebreaker. Guitarist, composer, and co-founder of Liminal Space Contemporary Music Ensemble, George Heathco, teaches us all about Andriessen and his contributions to the alt classical movement. Or indie classical. Or whatever you wanna call it.

Music used in this episode includes:

• Hoketus  by Louis Andriessen
• De Materie  by Louis Andriessen (begins with 144 repetitions of same chord)
• De Staat  by Louis Andriessen
• Yo Shakespeare  by Michael Gordon
• Pierced  by David Lang
• “Bone Chapel” from O Death by Oscar Bettison

Audio production from Todd “Twinkles” Hulslander with very marginal oversight from Dacia Clay.

PS, One of the images attached to this article is not George Heathco, but his TV doppleganger George from Being Human. Can you tell which is which? One of them loves Twilight. (Apologies, non-specific George!)