remarkable Argentine composer; b. Buenos Aires, Dec. 24, 1931. Kagel studied with the well-known Argentine composers JUAN CARLOS PAZ and ALFREDO SCHIUMA, and also took courses in philosophy and literature at the University of Buenos Ares.

In 1949 Kagel became associated with the Agrupación Nueva Música (New Music Group). From 1949 to 1956 he was choral director at the Teatro Colón. In 1957 he obtained a stipend for the Academic Cultural Exchange with West Germany and went to Cologne, which he made his permanent home. In 1961 and 1963 he gave lectures and demonstrations of modern music in the U.S., and in 1964-65 he taught composition at the State University of New York at Buffalo. In 1969 he became director of the Institute of New Music at the Rheinische Musikschule in Cologne. In 1974 he was made professor at the Cologne Hochschule für Musik. In 1977 he became a member of the Akademie der Künste in Berlin. He was awarded the Mozart Medal of Frankfurt am Main in 1983 and was made a Commandeur de L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France in 1985. In 1989 he was composer-in-residence at the Cologne Philharmonie. He is the author of Worte über Musik: Gespräche, Aufsätze, Reden, Hörspiele (Munich, 1991).

As a composer, Kagel evolved an extremely complex method. He used complex, SERIAL organization of NOTES, INTERVALS, and DURATIONS, supplemented by ALEATORY (chance) techniques. In his musical works, he tries to unite all elements of human expression, aiming at the creation of a universe of theatrical arts in their visual, aural, and social aspects. Among his many dramatic works are Aus Deutschland, lieder opera (1977-80), Der Tribun for political orator, marching band, and loudspeaker (1978-79), . . . nach einer Lektüre von Orwell, theater picture or scenic environment (1982-83), and Zwei Akte for two actors, saxophone, and harp (1988-89). His orchestral works include Les idées fixes (1988-89), Die Stücke der Windrose for salon orchestra (1988-89), Op. 1.991 (1990), and Konzertstück for kettledrum and orchestra (1990-92). He also composed numerous chamber works, vocal pieces, and tape and electronic scores.