Composition Conversations

Ep. 4 - Elizabeth Gartman: Embracing Absurdism

Wesley Lin Season 1 Episode 5

Let's say you're writing a story and need to pick a main character. What would you choose? Probably a human; if not, maybe an animal or even an alien species, if you're into sci-fi. In one of her pieces, Elizabeth Gartman chooses microplastics. 

As an award-winning and widely-commissioned composer, Gartman is unafraid to bring innovative, strange ideas to her sound world. In relinquishing many traditional musical norms and unbinding herself to what is seen as "natural," Gartman defies cliches and creates music that is absurdly beautiful and beautifully absurd. 

In this episode, follow me as we dive into the refreshing music of Elizabeth Gartman!