Composers of the second half of the 20th century. Composers

Contemporary composers. See a directory of contemporary composers at musikaneo.com Classical music has stood the test of time and we agree that if a piece is less than 100 years old it cannot be classical music. But what do conservatory graduates do, where are their works and how can they relate to classical music?

Classical music. In a narrow sense, the term refers to the period of classicism that dominated from 1750 to 1830. In a broad sense, classical is any serious music that makes you think, implies the presence of attention for listening and some emotional effort.

musical periods. Musical eras and authors creating music in different periods are beautifully represented on musikaneo.com

Great Russian composers of the 20th century. All these personalities are the brightest representatives of their century, they can be safely called the great modern composers of the 20th century. Listed are not just composers born at the turn of the 20th century. Their works during this period of time were already known, or their heyday of creativity fell on the 20th century.

• Pakhmutova Alexandra Nikolaevna Prokofiev Sergei Sergeevich. Rachmaninov Sergei Vasilievich. Sviridov Georgy Vasilievich. Skryabin Alexander Nikolaevich. Slonimsky Sergey Mikhailovich. Stravinsky Igor Fyodorovich.

• Khachaturian Aram Ilyich. Shostakovich Dmitry Dmitrievich. Schnittke Alfred Garrievich. Shchedrin Rodion Konstantinovich.

Foreign composers of the 20th century.

• Alban Breg. Anton Webern. Arnold Schoenberg. Bela Bartok. Villa Lobos Heitor. Vitold Lutoslavsky. György Ligeti. John Cage. George Gershwin.

• Leonard Bernstein. Luigi Nono. Mikalojus Ciurlionis. Nadia Boulanger. Olivier Messiaen

• Paul Hindemith. Charles Ives. Edward Benjamin Britten. Edgar Varese. Janis Xenakis.

Russian composers of the 21st century It is impossible to attribute some music creators to a particular century. After all, many works by contemporary composers were published and deserved attention both in the 20th century and in the 21st. This is especially true for living composers who managed to become famous for their highly artistic creations in the last century and continue to compose music in the current one. We are talking about Rodion Konstantinovich Shchedrin, Sofia Asgatovna Gubaidulina and others.

However, there are also little-known Russian composers of the 21st century who created wonderful compositions, but their names did not have time to become popular.

• Batagov Anton. Bakshi Alexander. Ekimovskiy Victor. Karmanov Pavel. Korovitsyn Vladimir. Markelov Pavel. Martynov Vladimir. Pavlova Alla. Baker Mark. Savalov Yuri. Saveliev Yuri. Sergeeva Tatiana.

The concept of "composer" first appeared in the 16th century in Italy, and since then it has been used to refer to a person who composes music.

19th century composers

In the 19th century, the Viennese School of Music was represented by such an outstanding composer as Franz Peter Schubert. He continued the tradition of romanticism and influenced a whole generation of composers. Schubert created over 600 German romances, taking the genre to a new level.

Franz Peter Schubert

Another Austrian, Johann Strauss, became famous for his operettas and light musical forms of dance character. It was he who made the waltz the most popular dance in Vienna, where balls are still held. In addition, his legacy includes polkas, quadrilles, ballets and operettas.

Johann Strauss

A prominent representative of modernism in the music of the late 19th century was the German Richard Wagner. His operas have not lost their relevance and popularity to this day.

Giuseppe Verdi

Wagner can be contrasted with the majestic figure of the Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, who remained true to operatic traditions and gave Italian opera a new breath.

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Among the Russian composers of the 19th century, the name of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky stands out. He is characterized by a unique style that combines European symphonic traditions with Glinka's Russian heritage.

Composers of the 20th century

Sergei Vasilyevich Rahmaninov

One of the brightest composers of the late 19th - early 20th centuries is rightfully considered Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov. His musical style was based on the traditions of romanticism and existed in parallel with the avant-garde movements. It was for his individuality and the absence of analogues that his work was highly appreciated by critics around the world.

Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky

The second most famous composer of the 20th century is Igor Fedorovich Stravinsky. Russian by origin, he emigrated to France, and then to the USA, where he showed his talent to the fullest. Stravinsky is an innovator, not afraid to experiment with rhythms and styles. In his work, the influence of Russian traditions, elements of various avant-garde movements and a unique individual style can be traced, for which he is called "Picasso in Music".

Great composers, whose names are widely known all over the world, have created a huge number of valuable works. Their creations are truly unique. Each of them has an individual and unique style.

Great composers of the world (foreign). List

Below are foreign composers of different centuries, whose names are known throughout the world. It:

• A. Vivaldi.
• J. S. Bach.
• W. A. ​​Mozart.
• I. Brahms.
• J. Haydn.
• R. Schuman.
• F. Schubert.
• L. Beethoven.
• I. Strauss.
• R. Wagner.
• G. Verdi.
• A. Berg.
• A. Schoenberg.
• J. Gershwin.
• O. Messiaen.
• C. Ives.
• B. Britten.

Great composers of the world (Russians). List

He created a large number of operettas, worked with light musical forms of a dance character, in which he was very successful. Thanks to Strauss, the waltz became an extremely popular dance in Vienna. By the way, balls are still held there. The composer's legacy includes polkas, ballets and quadrilles.

And G. Verdi - the great ones who created a huge number of operas that won the sincere love of the audience.

The German Richard Wagner was the most prominent representative of modernism in the music of this century. His opera heritage is rich. Tannhäuser, Lohengrin, The Flying Dutchman and other operas are still relevant, popular and staged.

The Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi is a very majestic figure. He gave Italian opera a new breath, while he remained true to operatic traditions.

Russian composers of the 19th century

M. I. Glinka, A. P. Borodin, M. P. Mussorgsky, P. I. Tchaikovsky are the great composers of classical music of the 19th century who lived and created their works in Russia.

The works of Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka determined national and world significance in the history of Russian music. His work, which grew up on Russian folk songs, is deeply national. He is rightfully considered an innovator, the ancestor of Russian musical classics. Glinka worked fruitfully in all his operas Ivan Susanin (A Life for the Tsar) and Ruslan and Lyudmila opened the way for two leading directions. Of great importance in the development of musical art were his symphonic works: "Kamarinskaya", "Waltz-Fantasy" and many others.

Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin is a great Russian composer. His work is small in scope, but significant in content. The central place is occupied by heroic historical images. He closely intertwines deep lyricism with epic breadth. The opera "Prince Igor" combines the features of folk-musical drama and epic opera. His first and second symphonies mark a new direction in Russian symphony - heroic-epic. In the field of chamber-vocal lyrics, he became a real innovator. His romances: "Sea", "For the Shores of the Far Homeland", "Song of the Dark Forest" and many others. Borodin had a significant impact on his followers.

Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky is another great Russian composer of the 19th century. He was a member of the Balakirev circle, which was called the "Mighty Handful". He worked fruitfully in a variety of genres. His operas are beautiful: "Khovanshchina", "Boris Godunov", "Sorochinsky Fair". In his works, the features of creative individuality were manifested. He owns a number of romances: "Kalistrat", "Seminarian", "Lullaby to Eremushka", "Orphan", "Svetik Savishna". They capture the unique national characters.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - composer, conductor, teacher.

Opera and symphonic genres were leading in his work. The content of his music is universal. His operas The Queen of Spades and Eugene Onegin are masterpieces of Russian classical music. The symphony also occupies a central place in his work. His works became known throughout the world during his lifetime.

Representatives of the new Viennese school

A. Berg, A. Webern, A. Schoenberg are great composers who lived and created their works throughout the 20th century.

Alban Berg became world famous thanks to his amazing opera Wozzeck, which made a strong impression on the listeners. He wrote it for several years. Its premiere took place on December 14, 1925. Today, Wozzeck is a classic example of 20th-century opera.

Anton Webern is an Austrian composer, one of the brightest representatives of the new Viennese school. In his works he used serial and dodecaphone technique. Conciseness and conciseness of thought, concentration of musical and expressive means are inherent in it. His work had a strong influence on Stravinsky, Boulez, Gubaidulina and many other Russian and foreign composers.

Arnold Schoenberg is a prominent representative of such a musical style as expressionism. Author of serial and dodecaphone technique. His compositions: the Second String Quartet (F-sharp minor), "Drama with music for choir and orchestra", the opera "Moses and Aaron" and many others.

J. Gershwin, O. Messiaen, C. Ives

These are the great composers of the 20th century who are known all over the world.

George Gershwin is an American composer and pianist. He became extremely popular thanks to his large-scale work Porgy and Bess. This is a "folklore" opera. It is based on the novel by Dubos Hayward. No less famous are his instrumental works: "Rhapsody in the Blues Style for Piano and Orchestra", "An American in Paris", "Second Rhapsody" and many others.

Olivier Messiaen - French composer, organist, teacher, music theorist. In his remarkable theoretical works, he outlined new and rather complex principles of musical composition. Theological ideas were reflected in his works. He was very fascinated by the voices of birds. Therefore, he created the "Catalogue of Birds" for piano.

Charles Ives is an American composer. His work was influenced by folk music. Therefore, his style is extremely unique. He created five symphonies, five violin sonatas, two piano sonatas, the cantata "Heavenly Country" and many other works.

Russian composers of the 20th century

S. S. Prokofiev, I. F. Stravinsky, D. D. Shostakovich are the great composers of the 20th century.

Sergei Sergeevich Prokofiev - composer, conductor, pianist.

His music is varied in content. It contains lyrics and epic, humor and drama, psychologism and characterization. Opera and ballet creativity laid down new principles and techniques of musical dramaturgy. His operas are The Gambler, The Love for Three Oranges, War and Peace. Prokofiev worked in the genre of film music. His cantata "Alexander Nevsky", created in collaboration with director S. Eisenstein, is widely known.

Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky - émigré composer, conductor.

His work is divided into Russian and foreign periods. His brightest ballets: "Petrushka", "The Rite of Spring", "The Firebird". Stravinsky also made a great contribution to the symphonic genre.

Dmitry Dmitrievich Shostakovich - composer, teacher, pianist. His work is multifaceted in genres and figurative content. Especially his importance as a composer-symphonist. His fifteen symphonies reflect the complex world of human feelings with experiences, struggles, tragic conflicts. His opera "Katerina Izmailova" is an excellent work of this genre.

Conclusion

The music of great composers is written in different genres, contains multifaceted plots, constantly updated techniques that correspond to a particular era. Some composers have excelled in a few genres, while others have successfully covered almost all areas. Of the entire galaxy of great composers, it is difficult to single out the best. All of them have made a significant contribution to the history of world musical culture.

The 20th century was quite fruitful for music. Music underwent various changes and was influenced by many events that took place at that time. Wars and revolutions had a rather tangible effect on musical works. In addition, another important factor was the emergence of cinema. In this regard, many Soviet composers of the 20th century took up writing music for various films and achieved excellent results in this area. Many Soviet composers of the 20th century became true professionals in the field of writing music for films. True, they have not yet passed, for the most part, sufficient test of time to be classified as "classical music". At this time, the Soviet composer M. Tariverdiev worked. The composer wrote musical accompaniment for such films as, for example, "The Deer King", "Love", "Irony of Fate". Then Doga worked. E.D. Doga is a Moldovan Soviet composer who wrote music for many famous films. Among them: "The camp goes to the sky", "Boulevard novel" and others. However, composers of the 20th century are by no means only composers famous for film music. The names of such composers as Kalman, Khachaturian, Puccini, Prokofiev, Debussy, Rachmaninoff are known to many connoisseurs of good music.

Such a rich repertoire is available only in the theater of the Moscow Council, although other theaters are also okay.

Rachmaninov's talent manifested itself early and brightly. By the time he graduated from the conservatory, he was already the author of several compositions, among which are the famous Prelude in C-sharp minor, the First Piano Concerto, and the opera Aleko. The Fantasy Pieces that followed them, the Suite for Two Pianos, "Musical Moments", romances - confirmed the opinion of Rachmaninov as a strong, deep, original talent. Decisive and powerful in performance and creativity, Rachmaninoff was by nature a vulnerable person, often experiencing self-doubt. The severe shock caused by the failure of his First Symphony in 1897 led to a creative crisis. For several years, Rachmaninoff did not compose anything, but his performing activity as a pianist became more active, and he made his debut as a conductor. Only in the early 1900s did Rachmaninov return to creativity. The new century began with the brilliant Second Piano Concerto. Contemporaries heard in him the voice of Time with its tension, explosiveness, and a sense of impending changes. A new stage begins in the life of Rachmaninov. Rachmaninov's pianistic and conducting activities are universally recognized in Russia and abroad; in 1909 he composed his brilliant Third Piano Concerto. At the end of 1917, Rachmaninov and his family left Russia, as it turned out, forever. He lived in the USA for more than a quarter of a century, and this period was mostly full of exhausting concert activity, subject to the cruel laws of the music business. The first years of his stay abroad, Rachmaninov did not leave the thought of the loss of creative inspiration: "Having left Russia, I lost the desire to compose. Having lost my homeland, I lost myself." Only 8 years after leaving abroad, Rachmaninoff returns to creativity, creates the Fourth Piano Concerto, the Third Symphony, "Symphonic Dances". These works are the last, highest rise of Rachmaninoff. A mournful feeling of irreparable loss, a burning longing for Russia gives rise to an art of enormous tragic power, reaching its climax in the "Symphonic Dances". So through all the works of Rachmaninoff he carries the inviolability of his ethical principles, high spirituality, fidelity and inescapable love for the Motherland, the personification of which was his art.

Unlike many of his predecessors and contemporaries, Chopin composed almost exclusively for the piano. He left no opera, no symphony or overture. All the more striking is the talent of the composer, who managed to create so many bright, new things in the field of piano music.

The 20th century is an era of great transformations in world culture, in particular, music. On the one hand, both world wars and many revolutions influenced the general turbulent situation in the world.

On the other hand, technological development progressing before our eyes has led to the creation of radically new genres, styles, directions, ways of musical expression. Despite this, some composers of the 20th century did not abandon traditional classical forms and developed and enriched this art form. Within the framework of this article, we will talk about such innovative composer schools and composers as

• New Vienna School and its representatives
  • Composers of the French Six
    • Avant-garde composers

New Vienna School

One of the first innovators at the beginning of the 20th century is the Austrian composer Arnold Schoenberg, who led the New Vienna School and created the dodecaphone system. His students followed - Alban Berg and Anton Webern - completely abandoned the tonal system, thus creating atonal music, which means the rejection of the tonic (main sound). The exception is the latest works of A. Berg. Atonalist composers mainly composed in the expressionist style, which bears the imprints of the cruel upheavals of mankind from the loss of loved ones during the war, hunger, cold, poverty. The atonal system has exhausted itself for some time, however, in the future, throughout the 20th century and to this day, many composers try their hand at using this technique.

"French Six"

Almost simultaneously with the Schoenberg group, the composers of the French Six began to operate in France, united by a common worldview. These are A. Honegger, D. Milhaud, F. Poulenc, J. Auric, L. Duray, J. Tayefer. The composers of the "Six" wanted to make the art of music accessible to representatives of all segments of the population. Nevertheless, their music was on a par with many classical works. The composers of the "Six" in their works promoted the direction of urbanism associated with the growth of cities and high-tech progress of the 20th century. The use of various noise effects in the works (especially in the works of A. Honegger) - beeps, the rhythm of a steam locomotive, etc. - is a kind of tribute to the direction of urbanization.

Vanguard 50s

In the 1950s, avant-garde composers P. Boulez (France), K. Stockhausen (Germany), L. Nono and L. Berio (Italy) appeared on the scene. Music for these composers turns into a field for experiments, where more attention is paid to the design of the sound range, rather than the very content of the musical canvas. A special place in their work is occupied by the serial technique, which originates from the dodecaphonic system and is brought to its apogee. Total serialism is created - in this writing technique, seriality is reflected in all elements of the musical whole (rhythm, melody, dynamic shades, etc.). Avant-garde composers are also the founders of electronic, concrete, minimal music and pointillism techniques.

Above is a small list of musical styles, trends, musical expression, therefore, one can imagine what diversity this interesting, multi-layered and many-sided 20th century brings.