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Peter SchatPeter Schat (1935-2003) studied piano with Jaap Callenbach and theory and composition with Kees van Baaren at the Conservatory of Utrecht. He continued his study with Mátyás Seiber and Pierre Boulez. In the sixties he took part with the 'Notenkrakersactie' with the goal to get the avant-garde music of that time into the official music scene. He taught composition at the Conservatory in The Hague. Schat has always given his own kind of interpretation to serialism and developed in the course of time his own harmonic system, the 'Tone Clock'. Besides in music he also expressed his views on musical and societal terrain in writings.
Schat wrote Collages in 1962, on request of Prof. Fokker, for the
Stichting Nauwluisterendheid. An elaborate correspondence started between both
gentlemen, which gradually got however more and more the
character of an argument. The letters went about another form of
notation, about the lack of discussion, and finally about dilettantism. The answer of Peter Schat: "Dilettantism! Of course I know well that Henkemans (who published an article against the newest music) and Fokker both in their own fields are respected professionals. From their opinions about new music I have to conclude however that they are on this special terrain indulging in a hobby. [...]" The composition Collages is on the CD "50 jaar Stichting Huygens-Fokker".
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