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The main distinguishing features of twentieth century music is weather it is tonal( humable) or a-tonal (unhumable). This seems like a silly way to tell the two apart but it will work for our purposes. If anyone is familiar with Star Trek atonal music sounds like Klingon Opera! This atonal music is not constructed in any method one has ever learned before. The creation of this music is credited to Arnold Schoenberg(1871-1951). The basic idea is that one must use all twelve pitched before a note is repeated. The idea of key signature is totally lost, this translates to a loss of tonality hence the name atonal. Two composers which renounced their tonal roots and gladly welcomed this revolution against tonal music were Anton Webern( 1883-1945) and Alban Berg(1885-1935). Schoenburg's Opera Mosses and Aaron will premiere at the Metropolitan Opera next year, and Berg's Opera Wozzack received critical acclaim this year as it was performed. Igor Stravinsk (1882-1945) also dabbled with atonal music, but also wrote beautiful ballets and Suites(a series of dances) like Pulcinella which sounds as if it were written in the classical period. Stravinsky is probably best know foe his ballet The Rite Of Spring, which frees rhythm as much as Schoenberg freed tonality. Through all of Stravinky's work, tonal or not, their is always some sort of wacky rhythm which is quite entertaining. One of the most prolific writers of the twentieth century was Heitor Villa-Lobos. In his life he wrote over 2000 works in total for many instruments. He once stated that he needed to compose to live as if it were his breath. Although some of it is better then others the modern classical guitarist thanks his lucky stars for Villa-Lobos. It seems that the Twelve etudes of Villa-Lobos are incredible vehicles to develop many skills guitarists need. In terms of more modern composers of this century, ones who are still living or recently deceased their are many. John Cage (1912-1992) Steve Reich(1932-) and Philip Glass(1937- ) are three composers of recent time. Cage is best known for 4'33'' Of Silence which makes performers out of the audience, and Reich for his use of electronic music. Glass is best know for his 4 1/2 hour opera Einstein on the Beach, which uses repeated themes, over and over and over and over and over. If you have seen the Christmas South Park last year you know what I mean! One of the most underestimated composers of this century is Frank Zappa( 1940-1993). Although Zappa was one of the best guitarists the rock world has ever scene, he was also an incredible composer. The Yellow Shark is a collection of Zappa's orchestrations. These are incredible performances of tonal and atonal music . Most people don't realize that music for orchestras is being composed everyday! When was the last time you were at the movies. That John William's score you just heard is just as much classical music as a Mozart symphony. I am sure that if Mozart was still alive he would be writing film scores, wow imagine that! There are many fine composers today making a living working in conjunction with video- next time you see a commercial, t.v program or movie remember someone had to compose the music you are listening to. To find out more of where concerts of modern classical music is performed check the Arts and Leisure section of the New York Times every Sunday. There are always many concerts and some are free! As always look for many of these works in your public library, if they are not there... do something about it! 1,Who freed the note? 2Who freed rhythm 3,What did Philip Glass Write? 4, Is classical music written today? 5, Is Zappa just some dirty Rock star? 6, Where would go to listen to these recordings for free?
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