Xenakis’ Sieve Theory

Iannis Xenakis sternly criticized serial music in the mid-fifties. In response, he proposed and developed a set of compositional procedures which were mainly based on probabilistic laws that framed under principle indeterminism. The sieve theory sixties represented return to deterministic strategies for composing. Following examination Xenakis’ notes sketches from period spanning his time auditing Messiaen’s classes composition Nomos Alpha , I argue is better understood when viewed through lens personal earlier speculations twelve-tone techniques.