An Overview of Third Stream/Confluent Music and the Involvement of Australian Composers

In this essay the author discusses the origins, evolution and impact of Third Stream music, the broader outgrowth of it being Confluent music. Reference is made to relevant compositions and recordings from the USA, England and Europe, up to 2004. Background information about the composers is provided. Compositions including elements from African music are being examined. The author investigates the involvement, up to 2004, of Australian composers and composers resident in Australia. A substantial bibliography and discography is included.