The manifesto The Art of Noises, published in 1913, proposed that the industrial revolution allowed modern individuals to find value in complex, non-melodic sounds. Luigi Carlo Filippo Russolo, the author of this document, sought to replace traditional musical structures with industrial auditory experiences, establishing himself as a foundational figure in the development of noise music experiments.
Early Development and Education
Born in Portogruaro in 1885, Russolo completed his secondary education at the Seminary of Portogruaro in 1901. Following this period, he relocated to Milan, where he initiated his engagement with the arts and began his formal training at the Brera Academy. This transition marked the beginning of his involvement with the Futurist movement, which heavily influenced his subsequent career as a painter, theorist, and musician.
The Intonarumori Instruments
Russolo designed and built a series of mechanical devices known as Intonarumori to generate specific noises. He organized a dedicated noise orchestra to perform using these machines. Despite their historical significance, none of the original instruments have survived; some were destroyed during World War II, while others vanished. Replicas have been constructed in recent years to allow for modern performances of his experimental compositions.
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Public reaction to his work was frequently volatile. In April 1914, Russolo and Filippo Tommaso Marinetti hosted the first concert of Futurist music, which resulted in a riot. His Gran Concerto Futuristico, performed in 1917, similarly triggered audience disapproval and violence, an outcome he had anticipated. In 1921, a phonograph recording was made by his brother, Antonio Russolo, featuring the works Corale and Serenata, which utilized the original noise machines.
Career and Geographical Reach
Russolo maintained an active career across various international locations, including Spain, Paris, Turin, Barcelona, and Madrid. His work as an artist and theorist bridged multiple disciplines. By 1933, he returned permanently to Italy, where he spent his final years before his death in Laveno-Mombello in 1947 at the age of 62.
Fast facts
- Born: 1885, Portogruaro, Italy
- Died: 1947, Laveno-Mombello, Italy
- Movement: Futurism
- Notable Publication: The Art of Noises (1913)
- Primary Occupations: Painter, composer, musical instrument maker
- Education: Brera Academy
- Known Instruments: Intonarumori
Questions readers ask
Did any of Russolo's original instruments survive?
No, the original noise-generating devices were either destroyed during World War II or lost over time.
What was the purpose of the Intonarumori?
They were designed as noise-generating devices to perform compositions that replaced traditional melodic music with complex industrial sounds.
Is there any original audio of his music?
The only surviving contemporaneous recording is a 1921 phonograph production by Antonio Russolo, which features the works Corale and Serenata.
Achievements
- Notable work: Music
- Movement: Futurism
