Scions of the Musical West – by Gavin S.K. Lee

Through an analysis of Casteels' major works, Lee proves that Casteels is indeed “one of those composers whose music makes an immediate impact on the audience” -- Casteels breaks out of traditional concepts, such as by combining a formalist stance with "new musicology" and extramusicality, juxtaposing differing ethnic instruments and differing ideas, as well as adapting ideas from nature and life. From the “deconstruction of high art' that often occurs in Casteels' music, Casteels has been able to 'invert values and create new soundscapes for the contemporary world”.