The long-awaited ninth installment in John Zorn’s essential series of writings by musicians and composers at the forefront of musical innovation, from John Luther Adams to Danny Elfman

Initiated in 1997 and now in its ninth installment, John Zorn’s Arcana series is a major source of new music theory and practice in the 21st century. To date, close to 300 musicians spanning three generations have contributed, addressing the inner workings of composing, improvising, teaching, living, touring and thinking about music via essays, manifestoes, interviews, notebook entries, critical papers and more. Arcana illuminates via personal vision and experience through the undiluted words and thoughts of the practitioners themselves.

This ninth volume is perhaps the most varied and imaginative installment yet, with contributions from classical masters John Luther Adams, Osvaldo Golijov, Ann Cleare and Aaron Jay Kernis, jazz virtuosos Christian McBride, Chris Potter, Tomeka Reid and Joel Ross, soundtrack composers Danny Elfman and Carter Burwell, vocalist Ganavya Doraiswami, recording engineer Ryan Streber and much, much more.

Essential for composers, musicians, students and fans alike, this challenging and original collection provides deep insight into the work, mind and methodologies of some of the most remarkable creative minds of our time.