Exploring the Evolving Landscape of Modern Classical Music
The world of classical music has evolved over time, with modern classical music providing a unique twist on the traditional and beloved genre. From innovative composers to performers pushing the boundaries of traditional forms, modern classical music has something to offer to a range of audiences. In this article, I will give some more context next to my YouTube video regarding contemporary music which touches on the various aspects of modern classical music, including its composers, styles, and performances.
Definition of Modern Classical Music
Modern classical music is a broad term used to describe a range of musical styles and composers who are writing for audiences today. It encompasses a broad range of musical styles, from post-romantic, traditional classical music to experimental and avant-garde. While it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what constitutes modern classical music, one often recurring (but not necessarily so) characteristic is the use of traditional music forms (or the reference to such forms), such as the sonata, concerto, symphony, and other known forms of movements, coupled with the incorporation of modern compositional techniques, going way beyond traditional music theory and music notation.
Within the modern classical music landscape, there are a variety of genres. The more I think about it, the more I am coming to the conclusion, that the entire framework of putting music that was written in a given time interval into specific “schools”, “genres” or “styles” is rather artificial. For example, there is minimalism, which is characterized by its repetitive patterns and often has a sparse texture. But there is also neo-romanticism, which seeks to emulate the sounds of Romantic-era music while still being rooted in the present day. Additionally, there is experimental music, which typically features unconventional compositional techniques in order to explore new sonic possibilities.
These three examples are just three out of a plethora of different styles and characteristics and all of them can be vastly different.
History of Modern Classical Music
The origins of modern classical music can be traced back to the 19th century, when composers such as Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner and Robert Schumann began to push the boundaries of traditional forms. As technology developed, composers were able to explore new sounds and incorporate elements of other musical genres, such as blues, jazz, and rock. In the mid-20th century, composers such as Olivier Messiaen and Pierre Boulez began to experiment with new techniques, such as chance music and aleatoric music. These techniques opened up a whole new world of musical possibilities and gave rise to the avant-garde movement. By the end of the 20th century, modern classical music had fully emerged as a genre and was being performed around the world.
Development of Foundational Genres
As modern classical music evolved, so did its foundational genres. As mentioned before, Minimalism, neo-romanticism, and experimental music all began to take shape in the mid-20th century, with composers such as John Cage and Steve Reich pushing the boundaries of these genres. Minimalism, for example, was heavily influenced by Eastern music, particularly Indonesian gamelan music, and focused on repetitive patterns and drones. Neo-romanticism, on the other hand, embraced traditional forms, such as the symphony, but used modern compositional techniques to create a more contemporary sound.
Expansion of Genres
In the late 20th century, modern classical music began to expand and incorporate other genres, such as rock, pop, and electronica. Composers such as Philip Glass and Steve Reich began to experiment with incorporating rock, pop, and electronica into their compositions and were heavily influenced by the punk and post-punk scenes. This led to the emergence of genres such as electro-acoustic music and post-minimalism. Additionally, composers like John Zorn began to explore improvisation and experiment with concepts from jazz, world music, and other genres. In the 21st century, modern classical music continues to evolve, incorporating elements from a variety of musical genres.
Performances of Modern Classical Music
Modern classical music is performed in a variety of venues, from large concert halls to small, intimate settings. With its wide range of styles, modern classical music is suitable for a variety of audiences, from hardcore fans of the genre to those who are just beginning to explore it. Likewise, modern classical music can be performed by a variety of ensembles, from full orchestras to small chamber groups. While traditional classical music ensembles are still the most popular, modern classical music is often performed by small, innovative groups that are forging new paths in the genre.
Notable Modern Classical Music Composers
I Igor Stravinsky
Igor Stravinsky was a Russian-born composer and conductor who is widely considered to be one of the most influential composers of modern classical music. Stravinsky experimented with a variety of musical styles, from neoclassicism to serialism, and made significant contributions to the development of modern classical music. His most famous works include The Rite of Spring, Petrushka, and The Firebird. Stravinsky's works often incorporate dissonance, complex rhythms, and innovative orchestration techniques, and remain popular to this day.
II Rebecca Saunders
Rebecca Saunders is a German-born composer and sound artist who is one of the leading figures of contemporary modern classical music. Saunders' works often feature sparse textures and extended techniques, as well as a unique approach to chamber music composition. Her works often explore the physicality of sound, as well as the idea of sound as a physical object. Saunders’ most important works include Flesh and Bone, Chant, and Möbius Strip. In addition to her compositions, Saunders is an active performer, and her works have been performed by renowned ensembles around the world.
Do you feel lost or are not quite sure what all the terms mean? Consider checking out my book “Nahre Sol’s Elements of Music”, in which I try to give you a playful, intuitive insight into how music works so that you have the tools to make music your own.
III Dieter Ammann
Dieter Ammann is a Swiss-born composer whose works often incorporate elements of minimalism, post-minimalism, and spectralism. Ammann's music is often characterized by its lush harmonies and its subtle use of tonality. His works often feature a wide range of instrumental techniques, from extended string techniques to creative uses of electronics. Notable works include Passacaglia, Five Pieces for String Quartet, and Moon. Ammann's works have been widely praised for their originality and craftsmanship, and have been performed by leading orchestras and ensembles around the world.
IV Jörg Widmann
Jörg Widmann, the composer and clarinetist has acknowledged the influence of Mozart and Schubert on his work, stating that the music of the 18th and 19th centuries plays a significant role in his creations. However, as a teenager, he had very different idols, including Pierre Boulez and Miles Davis - with Boulez Widmann even formed a close artistic friendship. Davis’ instrument, the trumpet, inspired Widmann's composition, Towards Paradise (Labyrinth VI) for trumpet and orchestra, which explores new expressive paths and relationships between soloist and orchestra. The labyrinth is a metaphor for Widmann's constant search for new expressive paths. The composition includes an accordion and a large percussion section, and the trumpet soloist wanders through the orchestra using various mutes to create both mesmerizing and (beautifully) hellish sounds.
V John Adams
John Adams is an American composer and conductor who is widely considered to be one of the greatest living modern classical composers. Adams has written in a variety of musical styles, from minimalism to post-minimalism. Notable works include Harmonielehre, Short Ride in a Fast Machine, and Shaker Loops and fascinating works for opera like his "Nixon in China". Adams' works often feature complex and detailed orchestration, as well as tonal and harmonic experimentation. Adams is also active as a conductor, and he has conducted numerous ensembles around the world. Adams' arrangements evoke more often than not a beautiful harmony, exploring one chord for an extended period of time, while the instruments often repeatedly vary intervals, making it hauntingly unclear what the exact chords are that one is hearing at a given moment.
VI Philip Glass
Philip Glass is an American composer who is widely considered to be the father of minimalism. Glass' works often feature a steady pulse, often generated by repeating rhythmic patterns, as well as simple harmonic structures. His most popular works include Music in Fifths, Einstein on the Beach, and Koyaanisqatsi. In addition to his compositional works, Glass is an active performer, and his works have been performed by renowned ensembles around the world. His works often provide a relaxing and meditative experience, which has created a devoted following of listeners. Glass has also been an active collaborator with other composers and musicians, and has written several operas and film scores. I can highly recommend the album "Philipp Glass: Études for Solo Piano, Book 1".
VII Anna Thorvaldsdóttir
In 2020, when Anna Thorvaldsdóttir completed her work Catamorphosis, the global average temperature was 1.2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and the 1.5-degree threshold under which the worst consequences of global warming could still be avoided was dangerously close. This realization stirred mixed feelings in the composer, ranging from sheer despair to the hope that as a global community, we still hold the reins in our hands to prevent the destruction of our planet and secure our future. This emotional conflict inspired Thorvaldsdóttir to compose Catamorphosis. The title is a portmanteau of the Greek word "metamorphosis," meaning "change," and the prefix "cata-," which describes the moment when fate takes its course, leading to a catastrophic outcome. The work explores our fragile relationship with the Earth and features seven interconnected sections that represent a cycle of three stages: the beginning, the confrontation of opposites, and the dissolution into an unknown future. Thorvaldsdóttir's composition blends natural sounds with musical motifs, creating an emotional piece that balances opposing forces such as strength and fragility, hope and despair, and preservation and destruction.
VIII Matthias Pintscher
Matthias Pintscher, composer and conductor, has been exploring the Hebrew scriptures and language for over a decade. He finds the language incredibly vast and its interpretation and reading as the greatest theme, as he explains that Kabbalah is multi-layered mysticism in Judaism. He derived inspiration for his work, NUR, meaning "fire" or "light" in both Hebrew and Arabic, from his fascination with the language. However, it was his close relationship with Daniel Barenboim and admiration for his musicianship and humanitarianism that inspired him to create the piece for piano and ensemble. NUR follows the typical structure of a solo concert with three movements, but Pintscher did not attempt to compose a traditional piano concerto like Mozart, Beethoven, or Rachmaninoff. He focused on the partnership between the solo instrument and ensemble, with a dialogic approach to music-making rather than traditional concertizing. The piece evokes various forms of fire, from a spark to a blaze, and even an explosion, but also explores the aftermath, what remains in the ashes and the stillness.
IX Lisa Streich
Lisa Streich is a Swedish composer who seeks out the new and unexplored in her music. She has won numerous awards, including the Ernst von Siemens Composers' Prize and the Claussen-Simon Composition Prize. Streich's latest composition, "Flügel," was created specifically for the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra and features a choreography of delicate wing nets woven through the orchestral arrangement. Her music is characterized by stark contrasts, combining fragile tones with meditative rhythms and spectral chords. Streich sees an ensemble as a sculpture and composes with its final form in mind. Her inspiration comes from various contexts, including the "motorization" of classical instruments and deviations from "correct" intervals in amateur choir recordings. Streich currently lives on the Swedish island of Gotland with her three children, where she finds solace and inspiration by the sea.
Themes in Modern Classical Music
As one can see when reading about this (very small) excerpt of contemporary classical composers, themes in modern classical music range widely and can be quite diverse. Common themes include nature, emotion, politics, and the human experience that come with rapid digitization and globalization. Composers often draw inspiration from their own personal experiences and draw upon their culture and history to create music that speaks to the world at large. Modern classical music often explores themes of alienation, oppression, and power. In addition, many composers draw upon modern technologies and media to explore the idea of a changing world. As technology evolves and changes, so does modern classical music, creating a unique and ever-evolving landscape.
Modern Classical Music in Popular Culture
Modern classical music has had an immense impact on popular culture. Artists such as Radiohead and Björk have used modern classical elements in their music. Film scores often incorporate modern classical elements, and video game soundtracks like the work from Gary Schyman are often heavily influenced by modern classical music. As modern classical music continues to reach new audiences and cultures, it has become an integral part of popular culture, and its influence will continue to grow for many years to come.
Conclusion
Modern classical music is one of the most important, influential genres of music. Through its exploration of themes, use of technology, and collaborations with other artists, modern classical music has created a unique and ever-evolving landscape. As its popularity continues to grow, its influence on popular culture will continue to expand, allowing modern classical music to reach new audiences and cultures.