third stream
English composer
Definition
A compositional approach — coined by Gunther Schuller in 1957 — that fuses elements of Western art music (classical forms, counterpoint, notation) with jazz improvisation idioms, harmony, and rhythm, treating the two traditions as equals rather than decorating one with elements of the other.
Interpretive Guidance
Understanding Kapustin's third stream aesthetic is essential for performance: the jazz feel and the classical structure are equally important. Neither the jazz rhythm nor the formal architecture should be sacrificed for the other.