Abstract
George Crumb is a leading American composer of this century. His works have had a strong impact in the contemporary music world. Originating from an affinity for eclecticism, Crumb's music extensively explores sonorities and colors that make his style unique. The special use of percussion in his compositions has given these instruments an important place within chamber and large ensembles. Because of his interest in exploring sonorities, percussion has been one of the most distinguishing features of his works, particularly in two pieces---Songs, Drones, and Refrains of Death and Music for a Summer Evening (Makrokosmos III)---where the use of percussion instruments contribute a new concept of sound and the timbral mixtures. Both works have assumed a major place in percussion repertoire.