George Antheil, a self-proclaimed "Bad Boy of Music," was a young and colorful American pianist and composer in the 1920s. His works sparked controversy, causing fights in concert halls and riots in the streets across Europe. His magnum opus, "Ballet mécanique," was initially met with resistance due to its innovative use of technology, including player pianos, sound effects, and percussion. However, it wasn't until 75 years after its composition that the piece was finally performed as intended, thanks to advancements in music technology and computer technology.
Bad Boy Made Good: The Revival of George Antheil's 1924 Ballet Mécanique
The documentary explores the life and music of American composer George Antheil, highlighting his groundbreaking 1924 piece "Ballet Mecanique".