GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => Topic started by: Greta on March 15, 2008, 06:03:12 PM

Title: [Game] Guess the 21st C. Composer
Post by: Greta on March 15, 2008, 06:03:12 PM
Another game in the vein of James's clip games.

Links are below to < 1min. clips, listen a bit, and take a guess (however wild!) at who the 21st century composer is for each, replying in this thread with answers or guesses.

All the works were composed at least in 2000 or after. (Ended up being a bit difficult, I should've included the 90s as well...)

A couple of these are probably terribly easy, others, maybe not, just take a stab.  ;D

Again, the suggestion to not read any other guesses until you have made your own!

Clip 1 (45 sec.), Clip 2 (49 sec.), Clip 3 (57 sec.),
Clip 4 (53 sec.), Clip 5 (51 sec.) & Clip 6 (57 sec.)

Clips: http://www.speedyshare.com/516832629.html


Fire away..
Title: Re: [Game] Guess the 21st C. Composer
Post by: Mark G. Simon on March 15, 2008, 08:07:49 PM
There seems to be a technical glitch. I wasn't able to listen to them.
Title: Re: [Game] Guess the 21st C. Composer
Post by: Symphonien on March 15, 2008, 09:57:58 PM
3 is Esa-Pekka Salonen's Insomnia. (Just picked up that CD Wing on Wing a week ago coincidentally! Great music!)

Other than that, I really have no idea.
Title: Re: [Game] Guess the 21st C. Composer
Post by: Greta on March 15, 2008, 10:43:08 PM
Quote from: Mark G. Simon on March 15, 2008, 08:07:49 PM
There seems to be a technical glitch. I wasn't able to listen to them.

:( I tried listening to them straight and as downloads with IE and Firefox, has anybody else had a problem?

Is it a problem in the music player or browser, Mark?
Title: Re: [Game] Guess the 21st C. Composer
Post by: Mark G. Simon on March 16, 2008, 07:52:09 PM
I've got them now. I don't know what the problem was before. My browser was certain your address didn't exist.

I don't know a single one of the pieces or composers here, but they all sound great. What a fabulous time for music the present day is.

No. 2 sounds like an updated version of the selection James presented from Sibelius' 7th in one of his 20th century quizes.
Title: Re: [Game] Guess the 21st C. Composer
Post by: Greta on March 16, 2008, 11:06:02 PM
Yes, there really is a lot of great music being written right now.  :)

Mark, very perceptive comment about Clip 2, I do agree. Definitely there is an affinity there, which I find really interesting.

Since with such recent works, many of us may have not heard them before, any thoughts on influences, nationality, etc are welcome.  :D

Title: Re: [Game] Guess the 21st C. Composer
Post by: greg on March 17, 2008, 05:59:06 AM
my only guess is- 2- Ades Violin Concerto, but it was too long ago that i heard it.
Title: Re: [Game] Guess the 21st C. Composer
Post by: not edward on March 17, 2008, 08:38:30 AM
2 sounds like something by John Adams (& the Sibelius comment would fit with that) but I don't recall the piece in question.

I don't have any categorical identifications, sorry.
Title: Re: [Game] Guess the 21st C. Composer
Post by: Greta on March 17, 2008, 10:45:41 AM
Okay...

#1 is by a German composer.

#2, yes is by Adams, any guesses at the work?

#3, Symphonien's guess is right.

#4, a composer from the same country as #3.

#5, is from the same country as #2.

#6 is British, had one right guess PM so far. ;)
Title: Re: [Game] Guess the 21st C. Composer
Post by: btpaul674 on March 18, 2008, 10:18:39 AM
is the Adams piece his A Guide to Strange Places?

all I can remember from that piece is being very brassy in some areas.

If it isn't that then perhaps something from Doctor Atomic... an opera which I have not heard.
Title: Re: [Game] Guess the 21st C. Composer
Post by: springrite on March 18, 2008, 10:23:41 AM
4+5 = Saariaho and Lindberg
Title: Re: [Game] Guess the 21st C. Composer
Post by: Symphonien on March 19, 2008, 03:21:27 AM
Ok, here are some guesses...

1. Wolfgang Rihm - Quartettstudie
2. I think Paul's two guesses seem the most likely.
3. Guessed already.
4. Kaija Saariaho - Nymphea Reflection
5. A beautiful piece, but I really have no idea... I'm not familiar with contemporary American composers beyond the older generation of Reich/Glass/Adams and Carter, and this does not sound like any of them. So I'll throw some random names around - Higdon? Gandolfi?
6. Guessed it via PM: Turnage - Trumpet Concerto
Title: Re: [Game] Guess the 21st C. Composer
Post by: Greta on March 19, 2008, 09:50:56 PM
Symphonien, very good job. ;)

1 is right.
2 is the award winning work John Adams wrote about the events of 9-11.
3 was right.
4 is right.
5 is Higdon - it's from her Concerto for Orchestra.
6 Yep, it's the Turnage.

Thanks for playing all!
Title: Re: [Game] Guess the 21st C. Composer
Post by: Symphonien on March 20, 2008, 12:07:55 AM
Quote from: Greta on March 19, 2008, 09:50:56 PM
Symphonien, very good job. ;)

1 is right.
2 is the award winning work John Adams wrote about the events of 9-11.
3 was right.
4 is right.
5 is Higdon - it's from her Concerto for Orchestra.
6 Yep, it's the Turnage.

Thanks for playing all!

Wow, looks like I didn't do too badly then. Although those were educated guesses based on looking at what works the composer had written 2001 onwards... :) So the Adams was On the Transmigration of Souls then? Didn't expect that one!

And it appears like I will have to check out Higdon some time. Nice choices!
Title: Re: [Game] Guess the 21st C. Composer
Post by: greg on March 20, 2008, 06:43:19 AM
Quote from: Greta on March 19, 2008, 09:50:56 PM

2 is the award winning work John Adams wrote about the events of 9-11.

i should've gotten that one......