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Contemporary classical music

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Contemporary classical music is a kind of Western art music made in recent times. The name started being used around the year 2000 for music created after 1945. This music does not follow the old rules of tuning and harmony used in older pieces.

It has many different styles, such as serial music, electronic music, experimental music, and minimalist music. Newer styles include spectral music and post-minimalism. Composers today create this music, often trying new sounds and ways to write music.

History

Background

Main article: 20th-century classical music

At the start of the 20th century, musicians who wrote classical music tried new ways to make sounds. After World War I, some wanted simpler styles. Later, some musicians used special methods, while others let chance decide parts of their music. New technology helped create electronic music. Some musicians repeated simple ideas, leading to a style called minimalism. Others mixed music with other art forms. Today, new classical music is still being made, with many performances each year.

1945–75

After World War II, music in Europe and America went in different directions. In Europe, important musicians included Pierre Boulez, Luigi Nono, and Karlheinz Stockhausen. They used a special way of writing music called serialism, which started from the ideas of Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern.

In America, musicians such as Milton Babbitt, John Cage, George Crumb, Elliott Carter, Henry Cowell, Philip Glass, Steve Reich, George Rochberg, and Roger Sessions created their own styles. Some explored new ideas about music, while others expanded on Schoenberg’s methods.

Movements

Neoromanticism

Main article: Neoromanticism (music)

Some composers today use musical styles from the late 1800s and early 1900s. This style has always been normal in the big world of music.

High modernism

Main article: High modernism

After World War II, a style called serialism became important. Famous composers like Pierre Boulez, Luciano Berio, and Karlheinz Stockhausen used special rules to organize their music. Even though this style became less popular later, some composers kept using these ideas.

Electronic music

Main article: Electronic music

Computer music

Main article: Computer music

From around 1975 to 1990, computers became very important for making electronic music. Personal computers replaced older machines and helped musicians create and change sounds in many ways.

Music theatre

Main article: Music theatre

Spectral music

Main article: Spectral music

Polystylism (eclecticism)

Main article: Polystylism

Some writers think polystylism is the same as mixing different styles, while others see it as something special.

Post-modernism

Main article: Postmodern music

Minimalism and post-minimalism

Main articles: Minimalist music and Post-minimalism

Historicism

Musical historicism means using old musical ideas and styles in new ways. This can be seen in minimalism and other types of music where older sounds come back. Some musicians study how people made music long ago to use those ways in their own work.

The historicism movement grew because of interest in old music and groups that study music from the past.

Art rock influence

Some composers since the 1980s have been inspired by art rock, like Rhys Chatham.

New Simplicity

Main article: New Simplicity

New Complexity

New Complexity is a style in modern European music. It uses very tricky ways to write music, with hard-to-play notes and rhythms. Composers like Brian Ferneyhough and Michael Finnissy write music this way.

Ambient music and its crossovers

Modern ambient music mixes classical music, electronic sounds, and minimalism. Artists like Max Richter and Ludovico Einaudi make this kind of music. It started with ideas from Brian Eno and Steve Reich.

Labels such as Erased Tapes Records and New Amsterdam Records support this style, and radio stations like BBC Radio 3 help make it popular.

Developments by medium

Opera

Many famous composers have written operas since 1975. Some of these composers include Michel van der Aa, John Adams, Thomas Adès, and Philip Glass, among others.

Cinema and television

Many composers have created music for films and television shows after 1945. Some well-known names include John Williams, Hans Zimmer, and Ennio Morricone. Sometimes, music made for concerts is used in movies. For example, the films 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Shining used music by György Ligeti.

Chamber

There are many interesting pieces written for small groups of instruments. Some examples include works by Olivier Messiaen, György Ligeti, and Elliott Carter.

Concert bands (wind ensembles)

Lots of composers have written music for concert bands in recent years. Some of these composers are John Corigliano, Michael Daugherty, and Eric Whitacre.

Festivals

Main article: List of music festivals

See also: Category:Contemporary classical music festivals

Here are some festivals where contemporary classical music is played:

Related articles

Classical music
World War I

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