Well, his two most famous works are probably "Ameriques" for large orchestra and "Density 21.5" for flute. There is lots of information at
http://stumac39.music.temple.edu/varese/ , along with a list of recommended CD's.
The British music writer Norman Lebrecht tells the following interesting, and irrelevant, story:
"On arrival in New York in 1915, he [Varèse] disdained an offer to conduct the orchestra at a new motion picture theatre. Then he was introduced to John Barrymore, who, scrutinizing him carefully, asked how he was going to make a living. 'If you want to make some money,' he suggested, 'I can put you in a picture I'm doing in Chicago.' After protesting that he was not an actor -- 'you don't have to be,' said Barrymore -- the handsome Varèse agreed. He was thus the first serious composer to appear in a movie, though the name of the picture is not known."
Peter
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