Masterpieces of contemporary (art) music. Recommended popular pieces.

Four Sea Interludes from the opera Peter GrimesBenjamin Britten

Britten – Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, Op 33a – Oramo

How vividly the sea is depicted in this piece! At the same time, it also gives me a sense of déjà vu, as if I’ve heard this sea somewhere before.

The faint scent of Impressionism suggests the strong influence of Britten’s teacher, Frank Bridge (an English Impressionist).

The sea that Britten brings to the opera is the North Sea in its many guises.

The sea is a mirror that reflects the human heart, bestowing and absorbing all kinds of emotions—joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure.

This piece exemplifies that perfectly.

Webern – 5 Movements for String Quartett Op5Alban Berg Quratett

Webern – 5 Movements for String Quartett Op5

Alongside the string-orchestra version, this is one of Webern’s more frequently performed works.

Its stimulating and lucid style makes it an ideal introduction to the Second Viennese School and to Webern himself.

After this, his style evolved into a highly specialized minimalism, which would go on to have a profound influence on post–World War II contemporary music.

DorchadasAnn Cleare

Ann Cleare – Dorchadas [w/ score]

What does the female composer Ann embed in those sensual, shocking masses of sound? Her music is sculptural, tinged with colors drawn from timbre.

By listening intently to everything she perceives simply by being alive and returning it to us as music, her presence has become indispensable to the world of contemporary music.

Schoenberg “Gurre-Lieder”Donald Runnicles

Schoenberg “Gurre-Lieder” BBCSO/Runnicles 2002 Proms

Alongside Transfigured Night, The Song of Gurre was the work that marked the composer’s starting point, culminating his essays in German music up to the 20th century.

Its massive five-wind orchestration—requiring, among other things, six bassoons—and a large mixed chorus to match make it an ideal introduction to the modern-music giants of the Second Viennese School.

Stravinsky ‘Soldier’s Tale’Leo Geyer

Stravinsky ‘Soldier’s Tale’ Performed by Constella Ballet & Orchestra

Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale, in contrast to his ballet music that employed large orchestras, stages a Russian fable with a small ensemble that’s almost like chamber music.

There’s also a suite version, but I’d prefer to watch it together with footage of an actual staging featuring pantomime or ballet.