Richard Zvonar, the composer and innovator of electronic music, died this August 3, 2005. Richard worked with me on Wild Women with Steakknives, Eyes Without Blood, Tragouthia apo to to Aima Exoun Fonos, and Panoptikon, which we were planning on
redoing this year.
All of his family, friends and collaborators have been heartbroken at
his passing. Richard had been seriously ill with cancer many years ago,
but his friends thought it would not return, and certainly not within a
fifteen year period.
I learned from a good friend of Richard's only a week before he died
that he was mortally ill and I am grateful to that friend for letting
me know so that we could have one last conversation on the phone. True
to his spirit, Richard said to me, "Listen, Diamanda, if I get over
this thing, would you give me your number? We want to get that remix
done." He sounded extremely frail, and a couple of days
afterwards he lost the ability to speak.
I have been extremely shaken by his death; it is a time of the year
that brings me great sadness in general, since my own brother's death
was on the 12th of August in 1986.
I would like to say that it was a tremendous honor for me that I had
the opportunity to work with him and I am devastated that it will not
be possible again. We had been writing over the last years about
redoing certain works we had recorded.
Moreover, I am overwhelmed that this superlative and generous
artist will not be heard from again, since he contributed so
richly to music both as a composer, and as a collaborator
work, and all work that has been documented of his will be greatly
appreciated.
Within the next few days I will put on the site a contact for this information.
With much sadness,
Diamanda Galas
Donations to innovative musical work may be made in Richard's name to the following organisation, which he supported:
American Composers Forum
P.O. Box 29217
Los Angeles, CA 90029-0217