21st century classical music

[North Star]

Hey!  I like Hummel!

Let's just say that with Sean,  I've finally found a use for the 'ignore' function on this board.

Yes, I'm sorry I used Hummel, but couldn't think of a name of someone less significant then.
That idea is definitely not a bad one, but I do like to have a laugh now and then.

[modUltralaser]

Some great music. Thanks for the posts.

Merlijn Twaalfhoven's The Air We Breathe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opoNcm2V-V0

A piece that uses everyday sounds and the voice. The only composer I can think of that has gone this route is Meredith Monk, but this is definitely something different. It's much more conceptual and may even be classified as a sound installation. There is a mix of professional and the average joe in the creation of this piece. Truly unique.

Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate's Taloowa' Chipota:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKB4eZkstos

One of the few Native Americans who composes within the classical vein. Making use of that tradition and his own culture is the creation of these touching songs. Split into two parts, essentially. The first part is based on a text written by the composer informed by his original language, and the second part breaks down language into its components, much like Monk would have. Might just bring some tears to your eyes.

Hannes Taljaard's Wiegeliedjies Boek 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y9OXjY_Yhg

This was written for piano, voice, clarinet, and the bassoon. That combination alone makes it worth at least a looking at. This is far more traditional than the other two pieces being placed within the lieder tradition. Although, I would say that Schoenberg's school is where this music was drawn from.

[Sean]

It's wonderful logic - similarly I can tell you that the late 18th & early 19th century produced almost nothing of great value, based on Hummel & Ditters von Dittersdorf's music.

That's very harsh on Hummel and Dittersdorf.

But at that time there were indeed greater composers above them.

Unlike today.

[bhodges]

This was quite enjoyable, thanks for posting more Romitelli - I've heard Professor Bad Trip before, thanks to Bruce. What the heck, I'll listen to it now again.
http://www.youtube.com/v/20gECBNfiIo

It's really quite an extraordinary piece. I was interested to learn that it is precisely notated, even in moments when one might think the musicians are improvising. The range of sonorities Romitelli conjures up is striking.

Meanwhile, I just found out about this tasty-looking recording of The Nameless City (1997, so technically, late 20th century) for strings and bells.

[asin]B007IXCCM6[/asin]

--Bruce

[some guy]

A Romitelli I'd never even heard of.

Bruce, you are now officially my hero.

[bhodges]

A Romitelli I'd never even heard of.

Bruce, you are now officially my hero.

Awww...I'm just another explorer like you and many others here. (But thanks for the compliment.  )

I had never heard of it, either. Found it when searching for a cover shot of the Talea Ensemble's Anamorphosis.

--Bruce

[San Antone]

Separations: a lament

Scott Blasco is a composer, percussionist, and guitarist. Degrees in music composition and theology, currently a composition and music theory instructor at Washington State University.

[San Antone]

Canticle

Mike McFerron is professor of music and composer-in-residence at Lewis University and he is founder and co-director of Electronic Music Midwest.

In Latin, this 5.1 surround work for voice and fixed media was composed in 2006.

Translation
Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
Ambition as harsh as hell:
its flames are a blazing fire.
Deep waters cannot extinguish love,
Nor rivers sweep it away.
If a man should give all the substance of his house for love,
he shall despise it as nothing.

This recording features mezzo soprano, Bethany Worrell.

[modUltralaser]

Arlene Sierra's Surrounded Ground:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPbK2XbqCa4

Sadly this is only a sample, but I think it's the longest clip she has on Youtube. Some very interesting interplays and the passing of the melody amongst a variety of instruments, with a really amazing piano grounding it all. Heavy dissonant qualities, mixed with varied dynamics and tempos makes for something that will definitely leave you wanting more.

Friedrich Heinrich Kern's Anima:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovNSvaHhZgU

The primary instrument is a komungo combined with a polyphonous voices, off stage, reading a poem. Has an insect like quality, and this piece is not for everyone, as it also picks up on the drone like quality of an insect, seemingly through electronic means, but I'm unsure if that is the cause of it or the instrument, as I don't know much about it. It's a really interesting sound.

Aleksandra Vrebalov's Hold me Neighbor, in this Storm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0qncrcyBWA

This is the selection that is the most out there. Informed by the conflicts in the Balkans, it combines wild dissonance with bells, voices, and the Muslim call to prayer. It is all of these elements though that make the piece worth a listen. It is an extremely complex piece, layered deep and thick. My ears have heard quite a bit but nothing like this. Truly lovely and wonderful.

[San Antone]

https://www.youtube.com/v/DArLGg7AoYc

[San Antone]

https://www.youtube.com/v/xrtEnPfrQws

[San Antone]

https://www.youtube.com/v/xYw5hfzH1KM

[modUltralaser]

Always excited to click on this topic:

Carsten Bo Eriksen's Songs Without Words - Chapter 8:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6wP1gm6Ny8

Has a fairly traditional melody which is backed up by much wondrous repetitiveness from the backing instruments. The performers are also something else. I don't know if this is meant to be seen, but this should be seen rather than simply heard. Interesting textures throughout with really good dynamics. It also might be catchy enough to get stuck in your head.

Alexandra Fol's Dawn. Lake. Glistening Light. :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMUDXzh03bo

A truly interesting duo of a harp and a percussionist. Good use of overtones and undertones. Sounds a bit like angelic music of the spheres. Good use of sustainment. Good interplay between the instruments. I really enjoyed the harp's consistency. It's pieces like this that leave me awe struck when it comes to composition. How did they come to think of music in this way is the question I always come away with. And I appreciate their vision where mine is clearly lacking, but my ears can, will, and shall surely follow.

Peng-Peng Gong's Piano Concerto No. 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGGR9tpk3zg

Extremely traditional, hints of Shostakovich and Prokofiev. It's a very good work, but if you're here for something adventurous this is not it.

[cjvinthechair]

https://www.youtube.com/v/xrtEnPfrQws

Thanks so much for intro. to Moulijn - some other fine pieces on YT !

[San Antone]

Thanks so much for intro. to Moulijn - some other fine pieces on YT !

A worthwhile composer.  His music is not the most adventurous but also is not shallow.  a discovery for me as well.

[San Antone]

https://www.youtube.com/v/uRCYNy88JRA

[San Antone]

Liza Lim is an interesting composer, I may have already posted about her work - but here is a somewhat recent composition.

http://www.youtube.com/v/oiezf8IMLoA

Also, a page of more videos HERE.

[modUltralaser]

Liza Lim is an interesting composer, I may have already posted about her work - but here is a somewhat recent composition.

http://www.youtube.com/v/oiezf8IMLoA

Also, a page of more videos HERE.

Absolutely love her. Lots of extended technique in her works. So scrumptious.

[San Antone]

http://www.youtube.com/v/83qVMMMXhtA&feature=youtu.be

Anna Korsun
Bamberg, Germany

[San Antone]

http://www.youtube.com/v/a0Pcydv0MuI

Juste Janulyte