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[Classic] Masterpieces of Contemporary Music
When you hear the term “contemporary music,” what kind of pieces come to mind?
Chances are, many people don’t have a clear image.
To put it simply, contemporary music is the modern version of classical music, with a broader musical range than traditional classical.
Since it’s an abstract category, thinking of it as modern classical is perfectly fine.
This time, I’ve picked out some masterpieces of contemporary music.
If you like classical music, be sure to check them out!
[Classic] Masterpieces of Contemporary Music (1–10)
La CommediaLouis Andriessen
Louis Andriessen, a composer who represents Amsterdam, is known for his highly original musicality and has been influenced by composers with a jazz background such as Igor Stravinsky, Count Basie, and Stan Kenton.
Among his works, the ever-popular La Commedia is a five-part opera created in collaboration with film director Hal Hartley.
It’s a distinctive piece in which passionate poetry is mixed with the intricate melodies of contemporary music.
The TempestThomas Adès
Thomas Adès is a London-born musician who is also active as a conductor.
He studied under Alexander Goehr and Robin Holloway, made his debut as a pianist in 1993, and soon gained renown as a composer as well.
Among his works, I especially recommend The Tempest.
This piece is one of his signature operas, based on Shakespeare’s play of the same name.
Contemporary opera tends to be quite approachable, so be sure to check it out.
String Quartet No 4Jonathan Harvey
Jonathan Harvey, a British composer known for actively incorporating electroacoustic techniques into his music.
A Cambridge graduate, he studied under Erwin Stein and Hans Keller, and ultimately earned a degree just below a Doctor of Philosophy.
His celebrated piece, String Quartet No.
4, makes extensive use of dissonance, resulting in a highly distinctive musical style.
If you’re a fan of noise music, be sure to check it out.
Written on SkinGeorge Benjamin
The composer George Benjamin, from London.
A beloved pupil of Olivier Messiaen, he attracted attention as a child prodigy from an early age.
He is known for his remarkably fast pace of composition and has produced numerous masterpieces to this day.
A work of his I particularly recommend is Written on Skin.
Although it is an opera, it is crafted as contemporary music that conveys a respect for the classical tradition.
The MinotaurHarrison Birtwistle
Harrison Birtwistle, a British composer known for his distinctive musical voice, is one of the leading figures in contemporary music.
His popularity stems from music that unhesitatingly embraces melody, rhythm, and repetition without relying on extended techniques.
A quintessential work of his is The Minotaur, an opera that portrays the life of the Minotaur, a half-beast figure from Greek mythology.
Among contemporary music, it’s relatively accessible, so be sure to give it a listen.
Become OceanJohn Luther Adams
John Luther Adams is an American composer with a Pulitzer Prize to his name.
Since he once played as a drummer in a rock band, his works often feel more catchy compared with other contemporary music.
His piece Become Ocean is one of his most celebrated works; as the title suggests, it’s a deeply calm contemporary composition inspired by the sea.
Let Me Tell YouHans Abrahamsen
Hans Abrahamsen is a leading Danish composer of contemporary music.
He is highly renowned in the contemporary music scene and has produced numerous masterpieces.
Let Me Tell You is one of his celebrated works, composed at the request of the Berlin Philharmonic.
Based on the novel of the same name, the piece offers a rich experience of the intricate structures that are a hallmark of contemporary music.