Elliott Carter's "What next?"

Published in 2012 by the University of Rochester Press as part of their Eastman Studies in Music series, this scholarly monograph examines the late-period operatic and vocal works of American composer Elliott Carter. Guy Capuzzo authored this volume to provide a critical analysis of Carter’s singular foray into opera, 'What Next?', which premiered in 1999. The text serves as an academic bridge, helping listeners and theorists navigate the dense polyphonic textures and complex rhythmic structures that define Carter's mature style.

Capuzzo’s design for the work centers on a meticulous technical breakdown of Carter’s harmonic language and its application to dramatic storytelling. The book is widely regarded within musicological circles as a definitive guide to understanding the intellectual rigor behind Carter’s late compositions. It was received as a significant contribution to the study of 20th-century American modernism, offering a scholarly framework for a work that remains challenging for both performers and audiences to grasp.