Earle Brown

Earle Brown (December 26, 1926 – July 2, 2002) was an American music composer, producer, and educator who, as a composer, was a close associate of John Cage, and established his own formal and notational systems. As such, he created "open form," a style of musical construction that influenced composers like John Zorn and the downtown New York scene of the 1980s, as well as later generations of composers.

Earle Brown
Born
Earle Appleton Brown

(1926-12-26)December 26, 1926
DiedJuly 2, 2002(2002-07-02) (aged 75)
Occupationsmusic composer, producer, and educator
Years activeca. 1949-1999
Known forFOLIO; December 1952; Available Forms I & II; Centering; Cross Sections and Color Fields
Spouse(s)Carolyn Brown; Susan Sollins

Among Brown's most famous works are December 1952, an entirely graphic score, and the open form pieces Available Forms I & II, Centering, Cross Sections and Color Fields. He was awarded a Foundation for Contemporary Arts John Cage Award in 1998.