[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!
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[Classic] Masterpieces of Contemporary Music (1–10)
The Importance of Being EarnestGerald Barry
Gerald Barry is an Irish composer who studied under a roster of contemporary music heavyweights such as Peter Schat, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Mauricio Kagel, and Friedrich Cerha.
A piece of his I highly recommend is The Importance of Being Earnest.
It’s a work with a deceptively simple setup: just piano and vocals that are more like spoken narration than singing, set against striking dissonances.
If you listen closely to the piano—which is made to sound almost deliberately clumsy—you’ll gradually sense its remarkable level of refinement.
HashirigakiHeiner Goebbels
Heiner Goebbels is one of Germany’s leading composers.
Known for his alternative musical style, he’s also renowned as a major figure in stage direction.
Among his works, the one I especially recommend is Hashirigaki.
As the Japanese title suggests, it’s contemporary music that takes Japanese music as a motif.
In any case, Goebbels’s pieces are highly distinctive, so start by giving them a listen!
Cello ConcertoUnsuk Chin
Eunsuk Chin is a composer who represents contemporary music in South Korea.
She is a globally renowned composer, and her representative work ‘Troerinnen’ was performed by the Berlin Philharmonic.
Among her works, the one I particularly recommend is the ‘Cello Concerto.’ Scored primarily for strings and winds, it is highly striking for its unique expression that masterfully blends dissonance and consonance.
Her pieces are known for being notoriously challenging for performers, and you’ll certainly sense the overwhelming level of technical difficulty in this work as well.
[Standard] Masterpieces of Contemporary Music (11–20)
PartitaCaroline Shaw
Caroline Shaw, an American composer who made waves by winning the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2013 at the young age of 20, draws strong inspiration from Baroque music.
Her works distill Baroque elements into contemporary music, resulting in a distinctive musical style.
Among her pieces, a particularly recommended work is Partita.
This a cappella composition is striking for its exploration of the voice’s possibilities far beyond those found in typical a cappella.
Duet for cello and orchestraCassandra Miller
Cassandra Miller is a Canadian composer based in London.
Known for her experimental style, her works stand out in contemporary music for their particularly distinctive musicality.
Among her pieces, the staple that enjoys enduring popularity is Duet for cello and orchestra.
The first half is catchy, centered on chords, but after the four-minute mark the harmonies gradually destabilize, giving way to striking dissonances.
As it approaches the end, the music returns to consonance with remarkable naturalness—a bold and masterful exploration.
Little Match Girl PassionDavid Lang
David Lang, a composer from New York with worldwide recognition.
After earning his bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, he studied music under composer Martin Jenni at the University of Iowa and went on to receive a doctorate in music from Yale University—truly a musical elite.
His Little Match Girl Passion is perhaps his most renowned contemporary work.
Inspired by The Little Match Girl, it has been highly acclaimed as a modern vocal composition and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music.
Stabat MaterJames MacMillan
James MacMillan is a composer from Scotland.
While he primarily excels in classical works, he has also released many contemporary pieces, and many of those compositions carry political messages.
A standout work of his that I’d recommend is Stabat Mater.
Since it doesn’t rely heavily on dissonance and the like, I think it’s best enjoyed not as full-on contemporary music, but rather as an extension of the classical tradition.