What is Modern Music?
Much like the pharmacist's sign which reads "We dispense with accuracy," the term "modern music" is a rather ambiguous phrase. However, as far as the Dallas Festival of Modern Music is concerned, the term is used broadly to refer to music of the 20th and 21st centuries. The festival's primary area of focus tends to be on art music, or what might more colloquially be called "modern classical music." However, even that focus leaves an almost unimaginably huge range of styles, genres, and musical movements to be considered.
Just as the pace of change in 20th century literature, art, and technology dwarfed the pace of previous centuries, so did music see extremely rapid development. Take any 50 year span from the past; let's say, 1750-1800. This period saw us moving from the world of J.S. Bach to that of Haydn, Mozart, and early Beethoven. While even a casual listener can discern significant stylistic differences, the basic ideas are generally very similar. Now, let's move forward and similarly examine 1900-1950. The period begins with the progressive, yet tonal, extended harmony of Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss and ends with John Cage, the composer most famous for his work 4' 33", quite literally four and a half minutes of silence!
While the eclecticism of 20th and 21st century music may initially seem overwhelming, the great thing is that there is absolutely something for everyone! A great point of departure is with the French Impressionists of the early 20th century. Consider these works by Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel.
Just as the pace of change in 20th century literature, art, and technology dwarfed the pace of previous centuries, so did music see extremely rapid development. Take any 50 year span from the past; let's say, 1750-1800. This period saw us moving from the world of J.S. Bach to that of Haydn, Mozart, and early Beethoven. While even a casual listener can discern significant stylistic differences, the basic ideas are generally very similar. Now, let's move forward and similarly examine 1900-1950. The period begins with the progressive, yet tonal, extended harmony of Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss and ends with John Cage, the composer most famous for his work 4' 33", quite literally four and a half minutes of silence!
While the eclecticism of 20th and 21st century music may initially seem overwhelming, the great thing is that there is absolutely something for everyone! A great point of departure is with the French Impressionists of the early 20th century. Consider these works by Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel.
Ravel - String Quartet in F
Debussy - La Mer
For many, the term “modern music” evokes the Modernist movement associated with composers such as Arnold Schönberg, Pierre Boulez, and Milton Babbit. This movement dominated Western art music in the post WW-II era, and is characterized by atonality and serialism. Considering the often complex compositional techniques, much of this music can be surprisingly beautiful and intriguing, even at first listen.
Schönberg - Pierrot Lunaire
Meanwhile, avant-garde composers such as Cage and Varése were challenging the very idea of music itself. Cage used chance procedures to create music that was unpredictable and without ego. Both composers expanded the existing concept of musical sound to include prepared piano, all types of percussion, and electronics.
By the 1960's, the Minimalist style of Terry Riley and Philip Glass was in full development. Electric Counterpoint, by Steve Reich, is a highly accessible and developed example of this style.
Reich - Electric Counterpoint
Minimalism has seen development through today by composers like John Adams, and postminimalists such as David Lang and John Luther Adams.
Adams - Harmonium
Lang - Cheating, Lying, Stealing
Alternatively, Jennifer Higdon, winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Music, strikes out in her own direction.
Higdon - Percussion Concerto
What incredible variety! It is absolutely not a stretch to say that modern music is for everyone! The 2011 season of the Dallas Festival of Modern Music is November 2-6, so make plans now to attend a performance that will change the way you think about music!