In Depth Analysis of Contemporary Music

1. In Depth Analysis of Contemporary Music Four Example Pieces

2. John Cage • “My purpose is to eliminate purpose” • Most famous and influential composer of chance music • Example pieces: • 4’33” (1952) • Imaginary Landscape No. 4 (1951) for twelve radios • Inventor of prepared piano- piano whose sound is altered by the addition of objects to the strings of the piano • Influenced serial composers to add elements of chance to their music

3. Sonatas and Interludes for Prepared Piano • Set of twenty short pieces ranging from 90 seconds to 5 minutes in length • Reflects Cage’s study in Eastern Philosophy • Sonata II • AABB form • Part A- moves from a single melody to a two voice texture, “question and answer” structure • Part B- Twice as long as Part A, more extended phrases, starts loud and dense, conclusion is rhythmically active

4. EdgardVarèse • Born in France but spent most of his life in the United States • Pioneered the exploration of percussion and noiselike sounds with Ionisation for percussion ensemble in 1931 • Wanted to pursue a “liberation of sound” and free music from traditional instruments

5. Poèmeélectronique • Composed in 1958 when Varese was 75 • Entire work is 8 minutes long • Designed to be heard in the Philips Radio Corporation Pavilion at the 1958 Brussells World Fair • Spatial effects created by using 425 loudspeakers placed in the pavilion • Worked with architect Le Coubusier, who selected images to be projected on the walls while the music was heard • Performance is fixed on audiotape

6. More Poèmeélectronique • Sound sources • Electronic Generators • Church bells • Sirens • Organs • Human voices • Machines • Unified by three rising tones • Tension is created by pauses of 2 to 7 seconds • Opening segment ends with 3 bell tones

7. Ellen TaaffeZwilich • Studied at Florida State University and Juiliard • Played as a violinist in the American Symphony Orchestra • Won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for her Symphony No. 1 • Occupied Carnegie Hall’s first Composers Chair from 1995 to 1999 • Named Musical America’s Composer of the Year in 1999

8. Concerto Grosso 1985 • Commissioned by the Washington Friends of Handel to commemorate the composer’s 300th birthday • Each of the five movements contain thematic material from the opening movement of Handel’s Sonata for Violin and Concerto in D Major • Written for small orchestra and harpsichord, gives solo instruments prominent roles • Symmetrical- First and fifth similar, second and fourth similar • Outer movements use entire passages from Handel, others develop the opening theme

9. Concerto Grosso 1985, 1st movement • Alternates Handel quotations with 20th century passages • New passages are often sped up versions of Handel’s four note opening • Pedal notes in bass give firm definition of the key • Uses short-short-short long found in Bach and Beethoven

10. John Adams • A leading composer who is considered a “postminimalist” • Uses the steady pulse, repetition, and clear tonality of minimalism with lyrical, expressive melodies and varied orchestral timbres • Conductor at the San Francisco Conservatory from 1972 to 1982 • Composer for the San Francisco Orchestra from 1982 to 1985 • Won Pulitzer in 2003 for On the Transmigration of Soul, commemorating those who died in the September 11th attack

11. Short Ride in a Fast Machine • One of the most widely performed works by an American Composer • Rapid tempo, rhythmic drive, and colorful sonorities create excitement • Large orchestra uses some unusual instruments: • Two synthesizers • Sizzle cymbal • Crotales • Steady beats in the Wood block, rapid ostinatos in the synth and clarinet