IVAN
(b. Paris, France, 5 Feb 1943; d. Cambridge, MA, 11 April 1998)

"My sons are vry generous about my music -- they sit in different parts of the hall and applaud very loudly." - Alexander Tcherepnin

Ivan Tcherepnin received his first musical training from his parents Alexander and Ming. He completed his studies at Harvard University, where his principal teacher was Leon Kirchner. He also studied in Europe with Pierre Boulez and Karlheinz Stockhausen. After holding teaching positions at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Stanford University, Ivan joined the music faculty of Harvard University in 1972, where he also served as director of hte Harvard Electronic Studio.

Ivan played piano, psaltery, Persian santur and synthesizer. An innovator in the field of live electronic music and multimedia since the mid '60s, Ivan held a deep conviction that the ear-mind connection is the most important avenue for communication and development available to humans. Keeping this channel opena nd free of artificial constraints was one of Ivan's primary artistic goals. In his work, traditional and revolutionary, old and new, instrumental and electronic are not mutually exclusive. Rather, they co-exist and cross-pollinate, creating new musical "flowers."

Like his persona, the music of Ivan reflects insight, love of the moment, witty humor, and openness to world mmusic and ideas. His work is full of surprises and unforgettable musical poetry.