Among these melodies there is a motive for any mood: romantic, positive or dreary, to relax and not think about anything, or, conversely, to collect your thoughts.

Ludovico Einaudi

The Italian composer and pianist works in the direction of minimalism, often turns to ambient and skillfully combines classical music with other musical styles. He is known to a wide circle for atmospheric compositions that have become soundtracks for films. For example, you will surely recognize the music from the French tape "1 + 1" written by Einaudi.

Philip Glass/Philip Glass

Glass is one of the most controversial personalities in the world of modern classics, which is either praised to the skies, or criticized to smithereens. He has been with his Philip Glass Ensemble for half a century and has written music for over 50 films, including The Truman Show, The Illusionist, Taste of Life and The Fantastic Four. The melodies of the American minimalist composer blur the line between classical and popular music.

Max Richter

The author of many soundtracks, the best film composer of 2008 according to the European Film Academy and a post-minimalist. Captivated critics from the first album Memoryhouse, in which Richter's music was superimposed on poetry readings, and subsequent albums also used fictional prose. In addition to writing his own ambient compositions, he arranges classical works: Vivaldi's The Four Seasons topped the iTunes classical music charts in his arrangement.

Giovanni Marradi/Giovanni Marradi

This creator of instrumental music from Italy is not associated with sensational cinema, but is already known as a composer, virtuoso and experienced piano teacher. If you describe Marradi's music in two words, then these will be the words "sensual" and "magical". His creations and covers will appeal to those who love retro classics: notes of the last century are seen through the motives.

Hans Zimmer

The famous film composer has created musical accompaniment for many high-grossing films and cartoons, including Gladiator, Pearl Harbor, Inception, Sherlock Holmes, Interstellar, Madagascar, The Lion King. His star flaunts on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and on his shelf are Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe. Zimmer's music is as varied as these films, but no matter the tone, it strikes a chord.

Joe Hisaishi

Hisaishi is one of the most famous Japanese composers, having received four Japanese Academy Film Awards for best film score. He became famous for writing the soundtrack for Hayao Miyazaki's anime Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. If you're a fan of Studio Ghibli or Takeshi Kitano's tapes, you're sure to admire Hisaishi's music. It is mostly light and light.

Olafur Arnalds/Ólafur Arnalds

This Icelandic multi-instrumentalist is just a boy compared to the listed masters, but by his 30s he managed to become a recognized neoclassicist. He has recorded ballet accompaniment, received a BAFTA award for the soundtrack to the British series Murder on the Beach, and has released 10 studio albums. Arnalds' music is reminiscent of a harsh wind on a deserted seashore.

Lee Ru Ma's most famous works are Kiss the Rain and River Flows in You. The Korean New Age composer and pianist writes popular classics that are understandable to listeners on any continent, with any musical taste and education. His light and sensual melodies for many became the beginning of love for piano music.

Dustin O'Halloran / Dustin O "Halloran

The American composer is interesting in that he does not have a musical education, but at the same time he writes the most pleasant and quite popular music. O'Halloran's tunes have been used in Top Gear and several films. Perhaps the most successful soundtrack album was for the melodrama Like Crazy.

A composer is a person who writes music and has the appropriate qualifications. History knows many famous composers who, even after death, are the standard in the world of art. But the development of culture does not stand still, which means that modern society has its own celebrities. This article will focus on popular Russian composers of the 21st century.

Vladimir Martynov- besides being a composer, he is also a philosopher and a musicologist. Works in a minimalist style. Graduated from the Moscow Conservatory. He studied the religion and culture of the Eastern peoples, the philosophy of East and West. Martynov writes music for films and theatrical productions, and also teaches an author's course at the Faculty of Philosophy of Moscow State University on musical anthropology. In 2002 the composer was awarded the State Prize of Russia. Many believe that Martynov succeeded in accomplishing the main task of minimalism in his works: to convey saturation with minimal means and to say a lot to the listener.

Mark Pekarsky is a composer whose concert activity and indomitable energy has been pleasing art lovers for 50 years. Pekarsky graduated from the State Musical and Pedagogical Institute. Gnesins. At the moment he is an assistant professor at the Moscow Conservatory, as well as a teacher at the Gnessin School. In 2007, Mark Ilyich was awarded the honorary title of Honored Artist of Russia.

- Russian composer, now lives in New York. She also received her musical education at the State Musical College. Gnesins. Alla became widely known for her symphonic works. Symphony No. 1 "Farewell, Russia" and Symphony No. 2 "For the New Millennium" are considered especially memorable. Pavlova writes her symphonies in minor, her music is melodic, but at the same time tragic and sad.

Viktor Ekimovsky- experimental composer The indomitable innovator is one of the brightest representatives of contemporary composers. He graduated from the Gnessin College, and then the Gnessin Institute. Later he defended his Ph.D. thesis at the Leningrad Conservatory. His most recognizable works are Symphonic Dances, 27 Destructions, In the Constellation of the Hounds, Doppler Effect and others.

Tatyana Sergeeva- another Russian composer. She graduated from the Moscow Conservatory with a degree in piano and organ, as well as a degree in composition. Sergeeva is an Honored Art Worker of Russia. She successfully conducts concert activities, performing solo piano, harpsichord and organ programs both in Russia and abroad.

This list of contemporary Russian composers is far from complete. There are many talented people and bright personalities, among which you may be. Don't believe? Come to the school of modern music Jam`s cool and we will prove that musical abilities can be revealed in every person if he sincerely wants it. At Jam`s cool you can learn vocals, guitar, piano, percussion and wind instruments. Want to try? Welcome to the free introductory lesson!

The International Union of Composers XXI CENTURY is a non-profit association of professional composers.

Since the implementation of the project and its operation takes place in different countries, it was decided for each specific country to choose the most convenient and least problematic form of existence. For Russia, this is a "Public organization without the formation of a legal entity."

Thus, on the territory of the Russian Federation, our activities are regulated by:

1. Federal Law "On Public Organizations"
2. Civil Code
3. Federal Law "On non-profit organizations"

The central office of the Union is located in Spain (the exact address can be found in the "Contacts" section). The term “central representation” is conditional here, since the principles and technologies of the functioning and development of our Union of Composers imply universality and collegiality of management, and modern means of communication allow instant exchange of information beyond the borders of regions and states.

More information about the principles of existence of the International Union of Composers of the XXI CENTURY can be

The criteria for approval of applications are described in and assume the applicant's professional skills and the presence of completed projects.

The International Union of Composers of the XXI CENTURY is not a narrowly focused organization. We are happy to cooperate with conductors, and with the leaders of choirs and orchestras, and with performers, and with creative people of other specialized areas.

Dear colleagues!

The need to communicate with colleagues is a vital feature of composer creativity, as well as creativity in general. For music, which is the universal language of communication of mankind, regardless of nationality and confession, the issues of mutual exchange of ideas, methods and creative experience are especially relevant. This is equally useful for the composers themselves, and for the performing musicians, and for the listeners.

Another important aspect of the organization's activities should be the strengthening of ties between composers and performers from different countries. For situations often arise when a performer or an orchestra needs modern works of a certain genre and style, and the possibilities to contact the authors of compositions, and even more so the possibility of choosing from works by several authors, are very limited. Or vice versa, the composer has a composition designed for a certain composition or performer, but there are no opportunities to present this composition. We set ourselves the task of at least informing musicians about the compositions of members of our organization, for which there will be a special section on its website.

Modern technologies designed to optimize the process, composition, performance, as well as both musical notation and sound recording of musical works will not be left without attention. Of course, preference will be given to compositions of academic genres, although the possibility of presenting worthy works of light genres is also not excluded.

We are open to any legal forms of cooperation, as well as to constructive criticism, so we will gladly consider all suggestions and wishes of interested parties.

Honorary Member of the "International Union of Composers - 21st Century" — Honored Artist, Laureate of the State Prize, Professor of the Department of Composition and Instrumentation of the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, — Alexey Muravlev.

I think it's important to be able to enjoy music that conveys feelings without the help of words. In the age of high technology, we often forget about enduring spiritual values. One of these values ​​is (classical) music - the spiritual heritage of our ancestors.

John Towner Williams

American composer, conductor and one of the most successful film composers in history. Williams is a five-time Oscar winner (for the scores for Fiddler on the Roof, Jaws, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, ET, Schindler's List). It also has 49 nominations, making it the second most nominated for this award. Throughout his career, Williams has composed music for such well-known films as "Jaws", "Superman", "ET", "Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark", "Schindler's List", "Jurassic Park", the film epic "Star Wars" ”, “Harry Potter” and many others.

When you search for his work, you will understand why he is in the first place. After all, he created melodies from which just goosebumps run down the skin. Each of his works has its own meaning and associations. Each work is unique and perfect in its own way.

3 best works:

OST Home Alone - End Title

OST Harry Potter - Main Theme

OST Star Wars - The Imperial March

This is a South Korean composer-pianist. He became world famous with the release of the studio album First Love with the title track River Flows In You. Also, there is a rumor that the composition River flows in you was supposed to sound in the movie "Twilight" as Bella's Lullaby. But it was not heard due to the fact that it was published before the release of the film. That's why they approved the composition of Carter Burwel.

This composer with his work is more suitable when you need to think about something sad, but at the same time you do not want to feel empty in your soul. His music will perfectly help to feel the beauty not only in happy, but also in sad days.

3 best works:

River Flows In You

Ludovíco Einaudi (Ludovico Einaudi)

Italian composer and pianist. His work combines classical traditions with elements of pop, rock, folk music and other contemporary movements. He infuses his music with sensual and deeply emotional imagery, and this is the main reason why Einaudi is one of the most respected and sought-after composers today.

If you want to feel a powerful surge of inspiration or just sit in silence, then I can provide you with the perfect composer whose melodies will simply win your heart and soul.

3 best works:

In un"altra vita

Alizbar (Elizbar)

Russian-Hungarian multi-instrumentalist and composer. He founded the Ann "Sannat" ensemble. He also flawlessly plays several dozen instruments, including folk ones (among them are bouzouki, citern, charango, mandolin, boyran, kobza, many varieties of percussion and hang flutes). passion for the Celtic harp, to which for some time he devoted himself almost entirely.

If you are too tired and want to rest. This composer has already provided you with the opportunity to relax your body and soul, you just have to turn on his work. Turning on his melodies, you want to just lie down and dream of taking a break from reality, just closing your eyes for a couple of minutes.

3 best works:

Last Fallen Leaf

Whisper of the Stars

Vanessa-Mae (Vanessa-Mae)

This is a British violinist and composer. She became known mainly due to techno-arrangements of classical compositions. Her playing style: "violin techno-acoustic fusion" or pop violin.

If you like to listen to the violin playing, but at the same time like not only calm, but also groovy cheerful songs or melodies, then this is an ideal option for you. She has melodies and songs absolute for everyone.

3 best works.

It can, of course, be noted that the division between the 20th and 21st centuries is very arbitrary. Indeed, most modern composers gained popularity in the last century. But in our book we decided to make a division exactly according to this principle, which is rarely found in other books devoted to classical music.

All the composers mentioned here composed a significant part of their works in the 20th century. Nevertheless, they all contributed to the development of classical music in the twenty-first century.

We hope that as time passes, the division between the 20th and 21st centuries will still be made. We are still too close to this boundary to determine where one period ends and another begins, but we are sure that future music historians will certainly separate one from the other, as they have done with other periods described in our book since the Middle Ages.

Since 2004 Peter Maxwell Davis(Most often referred to simply as Max) is Professor of Composition at the Royal Academy of Music, and in this respect he can be called a colleague of many great musicians, including Edward Elgar.

Davis received his musical education at the Royal Manchester College along with other young British composers such as Harrison Burtwhistle; together they were even called the Manchester School.

Later, Davis studied in Italy and the USA, and upon his return to England, he was engaged in teaching, writing many works for schoolchildren.

Beyond Opera taverner, dedicated life of John Taverner, who is mentioned in the second chapter of our book, he created a delightful antarctic symphony, which was based on the impressions of visiting a place located literally at the end of the world.

It seems that the beauties of distant geographical points have some special charm for Davis, because since 1971 he has lived in the Orkney Islands, drawing inspiration from local seascapes.

One of Davis' most popular pieces among Classic FM listeners is called Farewell to Stromness- a solo composition for piano, written in protest against the construction of a nuclear waste processing plant on one of the Orkney Islands.

Glory Henryk Górecki brought it Symphony No. 3 subtitled Symphony of mournful songs. A recording featuring soprano Don Upshaw and the London Sinfonietta was a hit on Classic FM radio in 1992. The words that Górecki set to music in the second movement of the symphony were written on the wall of a Gestapo cell by a girl during World War II. The result is an extremely touching and soul-stirring song.

At the beginning of his career, Górecki wrote many experimental works that had little in common with his later compositions.

The composer was distinguished by a great religious feeling, which is especially felt in his music of recent years.

If we set ourselves the task of dividing the composers of the 21st century into schools, then it would be worth recognizing that the music of Henryk Górecki is very close to music Arvo Pärt and John Tavener. All of them became famous for their choral works with pronounced religious motives, which is explained by the ideological views of their authors. CDs of their music are very successful, but this success is also based more on spiritual qualities that are attractive to listeners than on any commercial distribution and sales schemes.

Pärt's early works are rather difficult to understand, but in 1969 he converted to Orthodoxy and did not compose anything for seven years. When he again began to write music, it acquired the features that we appreciate in it today - a clear and precise sound, conciseness, airiness, which makes it unusually beautiful and at the same time unobtrusive.

Like Arvo Pärt, John Tavener accepted Orthodoxy; at the same time, both Christian and Muslim, and Indian motifs can be traced in his music.

Curiously, Tavener owes one of his first successes to Ringo Starr. Tavener's brother was redecorating the legendary drummer's house and gave him a copy Celtic requiem Tavener. Starr liked the piece so much that he released it under the Apple brand name of the Beatles themselves.

However, Tavener's music attracted a wide audience in 1997, when he Song for Athena was performed at the funeral of Princess Diana in Westminster Abbey.

Tavener often composes for a specific artist. So he wrote a series of works especially for the soprano Patricia Rosario. Protection of the Holy Mother of God- one of his recent non-vocal works, was written for cellist Stephen Isserilis.

As we have said before, but we will repeat again, this composer should not be confused with John Taverner, born in 1490. Their last names differ by only one letter.

During his long and fruitful career Philip Glass excelled in almost every genre of classical music to which he had a hand.

Glass studied at the New York Juilliard School and in Paris, after which he studied Indian music for a long time, the traditional sound of which continues to fascinate him to this day.

Glass, along with Stephen Reich and Terry Riley- one of the leading representatives of minimalism. This style of music is deceptively simple, often repeating the same notes over and over again, having a sort of mesmerizing effect on the listeners.

Most of Glass's works have been performed by his own group, the Philip Glass Ensemble, but he has also written for orchestras, and his most popular work to date is Violin Concerto. His score for the film The Hours by Steven Daldry also enjoyed great success.

John Rutter- an unusually popular composer of the XXI century - his music is performed much more often than the music of other contemporaries. In Great Britain and the USA, he was especially famous for his bright and melodic choral works. Rutter's specialty can rightly be called Christmas songs and hymns - now it is even impossible to imagine a Christmas concert at which at least one of his compositions would not be performed.

Like Peter Maxwell Davies, Rutter wrote several works especially for young people. His Requiem, considered by many to be Rutter's finest work, is especially popular with amateur groups of young singers, and the score of this work is in high demand in the UK and the US.

Rutter lives in Cambridge, where he founded the Cambridge Singers in 1979. Since then they have performed many marvelous works by this composer.

Welshman Carl Jenkins is another commercially successful composer whose music is taken to heart by Classic FM listeners. For several years he has been ranked the highest among British composers in our radio's annual poll.

After graduating from the University of Wales and the Royal Academy of Music, Jenkins began performing as a jazz musician and was a member of the band Soft Machine in the 1970s. Then he began to write music for TV commercials and won many awards in this field.

Jenkins is currently known as a composer of classical music. Thanks to my essay Adiemus: Sanctuary Songs for the first time he was included in the lists of the most popular composers, which in itself is already a considerable achievement for our contemporary. His memorable and recognizable style, which is a combination of choral and orchestral music, has won recognition around the world and brought him seventeen gold and platinum albums. One of his biggest hits was Armed Man (Mass of Peace) with a particularly fine cello solo in part Benedictus.

It is unlikely that anyone will call the former member of the legendary Beatles four a classical composer, but Paul McCartney recently proved that he can compose something besides rock and pop music. He has always had a penchant for melodiousness, and this is clearly felt in his classical works.

McCartney first entered the realm of classical music by writing Liverpool Oratory– Paul's tribute to his hometown; it premiered at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral in 1991.

This was followed by an album Working Classical, which is a collection of orchestral and chamber works, and after that the Standing Stone album, which repeated the success of its predecessor, was released with works for choir and orchestra.

In late 2006, McCartney released his new album called Ecce Cor Meum- the music recorded on it is an oratorio in four parts.

By the way, an interesting fact: excerpts from Symphonies No. 9 Beethoven and Lohengrin Wagner is featured in the Beatles' Help!

Ludovico Einaudi not only composes music, but also personally performs it during tours, he especially likes to perform in the UK, Germany and his native Italy. He received his musical education in Milan, and then continued his studies with the famous Italian composer Luciano Berio.

Einaudi owes his popularity primarily to his albums of solo piano works: Le Onde, based on the novel The Waves by Virginia Woolf, and I Giorni, composed under the impression of a trip to Africa, especially to Mali. He has also written music for a number of Italian films.

Joby Talbot is the youngest composer among those mentioned in our book, and he was also the first to become the hero of the “Composer in Residence” program. Compact disc Once around the sun marked the end of this year-long project.

Talbot was educated at the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama. For some time he performed in the pop group Divine Comedy, but then he began to compose classical music, as well as music for films and television programs.

Talbot's scores include The Tenant (a remake of a Hitchcock film) and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. TV movies include Robbie the Reindeer and The League of Gentlemen.

In 2006, Classic FM became the "House Composer" Patrick Hose succeeding Joby Talbot. In recent years, he has gained particular popularity with the English public. His album Towards the Light compiled from his monthly radio programs.

Hoz's first album, blue in blue, set a record for the time elapsed from the moment of release to the moment it was inducted into the Classic FM Hall of Fame - it took the top line in the ratings a few months after it went on sale. The listeners especially liked his beautiful choral work. Quanta Qualia.

Hawes' music continues the English romantic tradition of Delius and Vaughan Williams, although Hawes is particularly interested in Renaissance and Baroque music, which he studied at Durham University.

Hoz has also written for television and film; especially known for his music for the film The Incredible Mrs. Richie.

Our latest group of 21st-century composers are well known primarily as film soundtrack composers. As you remember, in the introduction we wrote that such composers follow a long tradition and that such celebrities as Saint-Saens, Copland, Vaughan-Williams, Walton, Prokofiev and Shostakovich wrote music for films.

So, the title of "musical king of the screen" goes to John Williams- he and only he. To date, this composer has composed music for more than a hundred different films. The film industry appreciated this contribution: forty-five times he was nominated for an Oscar and took home a gold statuette five times; nineteen times was nominated for the Golden Globe Award and received it three times; He was nominated thirteen times for the Emmy Award and won twice. It looks like the mantelpiece in his house is in need of a major overhaul, as the hefty weight of the awards threatens to bring it down.

Williams was born in New York in 1932 and moved to Los Angeles with his family in 1948. He was fond of music since childhood, but, having completed his initial training, he served for some time in the US Air Force. After that, Williams moved to New York to continue his education, this time at the famous Juilliard School. In the evenings, he earned money by playing the piano in jazz clubs in Manhattan.

Williams finally moved back to Los Angeles, where he began working in the film and television industry. In the 1960s, he wrote key melodies for many popular American television programs.

In 1973, Williams met director Steven Spielberg, with whom he developed a fruitful creative relationship. Their first film together was called Sugarland Express. Since then, they have released one blockbuster after another. Williams also collaborated successfully with Star Wars director George Lucas on all six episodes of the epic.

Despite the fact that Williams has the opportunity to use computer programs, he prefers to write music the old fashioned way: he selects a melody on the piano and writes it down with a pencil on paper. It's pretty hard work - sometimes he's only given eight weeks to write two hours of film scores for the entire orchestra.

John Barry- British response to John Williams. Born in York, where his father was in the film business, Barry has been fascinated by the art of filmmaking since childhood.

Barry has been composing film scores for over thirty years. He has films to his credit such as Zulu,

The Ipcress File, Born Free, Midnight Cowboy, King Kong, The Abyss, Chaplin, and Indecent Proposal.

Perhaps Barry's most famous work is the music for the James Bond films: Dr. No (credits only), From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On the Secret Service Her Majesties", "Diamonds Are Forever", "The Man with the Golden Gun", "Moonraker", "Octopussy", "A View to a Kill" and "Sparks from the Eyes".

Barry's greatest achievement can be called the music for the films "Out of Africa" ​​in 1985 and "Dances with Wolves" in 1990. It's no coincidence that these films make extensive use of open landscapes - views that fit perfectly with Barry's sumptuous, epic motifs. Out of Africa director Sydney Pollack had the following to say about Barry:

"It's impossible to listen to his music without imagining movie stills in your head."

This film helped Barry get his fourth Oscar and Golden Globe. The film "Dances with Wolves" brought him the fifth Oscar and the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition.

Beyondness of Things is Barry's first album to feature classical music that does not serve as a movie soundtrack. In this case, the lack of video accompaniment does not detract from the dignity of these musical works.

The list of composers of the XXI century would be incomplete without mentioning the Canadian Howard Shore, who wrote the soundtrack for all the films of Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

Whenever we ask Classic FM listeners to vote for the best soundtrack for their favorite movies, the music from The Lord of the Rings is at the top of the list.

An interesting fact: Shor is said to appear in the frame as a Rohan guard in the director's cut of The Lord of the Rings. Return of the King".

James Horner was born in America and began learning to play the piano at the age of five. After completing his studies at the Royal College of Music in London, he returned to California where he received a number of degrees in music, including a doctorate in musical composition and theory.

Horner's first major film work was the soundtrack to the film Star Trek. The Wrath of Khan in 1982 and has since collaborated with directors such as Steven Spielberg, Oliver Stone and Ron Howard. In total, he worked on the creation of more than a hundred films.

James Horner has become one of the most successful composers, having won three Grammy awards and two Oscars; in addition, he was nominated five more times for an Oscar and four times for a Golden Globe. His most famous work is the score for the film Titanic.

Hans Zimmer Born in Frankfurt, he began his career as a musician in the world of pop music as part of the band The Buggies. Their hit "Video killed the radio star" became the first music video shown on MTV.

Zimmer worked as an assistant to Stanley Myers and wrote many catchy TV tunes. In cinema, he became famous for his successful combination of electronic music with traditional orchestral sound. His main success is considered the soundtrack to the film "Gladiator", and worldwide it has sold three million copies.

And so we come to the end of our journey into the world of classical music - a journey that has spanned more than a thousand years and which, we are sure, does not end there at all.

We started with Ambrose and Gregory, who created the first rules for choral singing, passed through the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque, lingered for a short time in the classical period, met romantic composers and ended with music written over the last century.

What place is prepared for classical music in the 21st century? Is she desperately fighting for her place under the sun with her last strength? On the contrary, today its position is stronger than ever. Costs

note that of the one hundred and eight composers mentioned in our book, fifty-four have lived and worked in the last hundred years. It seems that this art form will continue to develop further and delight us with its new forms.

Classical music is a living and developing art that will improve and delight us with its sounds as long as humanity exists.