This book rectifies a great gap in our understanding of this utterly original composer. We glean from Scelsi’s own writings the depth of his thinking from both historical and aesthetic perspectives, how these changed over the course of his career and, most importantly, how these changes shaped his development as a composer of some of the most original masterpieces of the late 20th century.

Thomas DeLio, professor of music, University of Maryland College Park

In this fascinating volume, Sciannameo and Pellegrini provide the first English translations of Scelsi’s writings on music. Indispensable for those wishing to observe Scelsi’s musical journey from the terrestrial to the mystical.

Conrad Harris, violinist, Flux Quartet

The English translation of selected texts by Giacinto Scelsi—philologically accurate and terminologically precise—is a most welcome complement to the recent translations of writings by European composers and the significant impulse to broaden the perspective on new musical thinking.

Gianmario Borio, Università di Pavia