- Microtonal works in Just Intonation , involving electronics;
- rhythmically complex works for Disklavier (computer-driven acoustic piano); and
- piano and ensemble music whose rhythmic complexity tends to be milder and within a single tempo framework.
Raised in a musical family, Gann began composing at the age of 13. He attended Oberlin Conservatory Of Music where he obtained a B.Mus. in 1977 and Northwestern University where he received his M.Mus. in 1981 and then his D.Mus. in 1983 . He studied composition primarily with Ben Johnston and Peter Gena, and briefly with Morton Feldman . In 1981 - 82 he worked for the New Music America festival, and afterward gained experience as a journalist at the Chicago '' Reader '', '' Tribune '', and '' Sun-Times ''. He was hired at ''The Village Voice '' in 1986 , and taught part-time at Bucknell University from 1989 to 1997 . Since 1997 he has taught music theory, history, and composition at Bard College in Upstate New York .
Gann's books include:
American Music in the 20th century
Music Downtown: Writings from the Village Voice,
- ''The Day Revisited'' for flute, clarinet, keyboard sampler, synthesizer, and fretless bass (2005)
- ''Unquiet Night'' for Disklavier (computer-driven acoustic piano) (2004)
- ''Scenario'' for female voice and soundfile/orchestra (2003-4)
- ''Private Dances'' for piano (2000/04)
- ''The Watermelon Cargo'', microtonal chamber opera for six singers, three synthesizers, flute, fretless bass, and drummer (2002-3)
- ''Love Scene'' for string quartet (2003)
- ''Petty Larceny'' for Disklavier (computer-driven acoustic piano) (2003)
- ''Tango da Chiesa'' for Disklavier (computer-driven acoustic piano) (2003)
- ''Cinderella's Bad Magic'', microtonal chamber opera for six singers, three synthesizers, flute, and fretless bass (2001-2)
- ''Transcendental Sonnets'' for chorus and orchestra (2001-2)
- ''New World Coming'' for solo bassoon with flute (or oboe), violin (or viola), and piano (2001)
- ''The Planets'' (Sun, Moon, Venus, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Neptune so far) for flute, oboe, alto saxophone, bassoon, viola, contrabass, synthesizer, and percussion (1994-2001)
- ''Hovenweep'' for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello (2000)
- ''Time Does Not Exist'' for piano (2000)
- ''"Last Chance" Sonata'' for clarinet and piano (1999)
- ''Custer and Sitting Bull'' for speaker, synthesizer, and soundfile (1996-99)
- ''The Disappearance of All Holy Things from this Once So Promising World'' for orchestra (1998)
- ''Snake Dance No. 2'' for five percussionists (1994)
- ''Desert Sonata'' for piano (1994)
- ''I'itoi Variations'' for two pianos (1985)
- ''Long Night'' for three pianos (1980-81)
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