Christian Wolff

French-born American composer Christian Wolff (born 1934) is the youngest member of the "New York School" of experimental composers, also including John Cage, Earle Brown and Morton Feldman. While very early Wolff compositions are graphically inclined in the manner of his colleagues, Wolff later developed unique strategies for controlled improvisation springing, in part, from his deep interest in democratic political systems. Certain late pieces are completely notated or de-emphasize political content; all of Wolff's music is outside the mainstream of contemporary composition, but are widely admired for their textural richness, the challenge they present to performers and for their easygoing, understated style.