 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
In Reply to: Favorite classical music composed since 1923. posted by edta on May 12, 2002 at 18:01:01:
EDTA thanks for the recommendation. I raced out and got the Vlach Quartet performance on Naxos. Phenomenal music.So much to choose from in this category. In addition to a lot of what's been mentioned, I'll throw out Strauss 'Four Last Songs'- transcendent. I recommend the Jessye Norman on Phillips.
Follow Ups:
Pardon me, the "Vier letzte Lieder" belong to Elisabeth Schwarzkopf (Ackerman or Szell, take your pick, I have both).This work is also the last (composed 1948, debut 1950) to enter the standard repertoire. 50 years without a newcomer. I was hoping someone here had an explanation. I guess not. The standard repertoire is chock full of towering masterpieces, it's not just a popularity contest. Look back to the early 1800's and you'll find a new addition to the SR (orchestral or chamber) virtually every year. Then after 1950, nothing.
Big B
Fine, get Schwarzkopf then. Either way, it is a sublime work.As to the lack of a post 1950 standard repertoire, it is probably due to the explosion of serialism and atonality during that decade. Think about the "name" composers from the 50's to the 70's: Boulez, Stockhousen, Berio, Cage, Lutoslawski, (early) Penderecki, Xenakis, Ligeti. Most of this music is difficult listening, and some of it is outtright ugly (please no hate mail, it's my opinion). If I personally avoid going to performances of these composers (except for the post-1970 Penderecki), I can imagine the reaction of the more casual listener. In the 70's it was minimalism: Glass, Reich, etc.- monotony. It was as if composers turned their back on the world, became academics and started writing for each other.
Since orchestra members need to eat, why play something that will polarize or drive away an audience? You can apply the same argument to commercial radio.
Can anyone comment on more recent trends/composers? I have noticed more melodic/thematic elements in recent pieces by Glass, for example.
"I was hoping someone here had an explanation. I guess not. The standard repertoire is chock full of towering masterpieces, it's not just a popularity contest. Look back to the early 1800's and you'll find a new addition to the SR (orchestral or chamber) virtually every year. Then after 1950, nothing."Did those pieces all become part of the SR immediately, or did it take years, or even decades before they were fully appreciated and performed on a regular basis? The extreme volume and eclecticism of the last 50 years must be taken into account as well. These are the hardest 50 years to sort out in all the history of music. The masterworks are there but it's going to take some time for any concensus to form. I think wors by Elliott Carter, John Adams, and John Corigliano all have very good odds for starters. We'll just have to be patient.
dh
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
