10 Post-War Composers For Adventurous Beginners

[@pelodelperro]

Great selection! And there's so much to choose from. I'd add Luciano Berio (Sinfonia, Laborintus 2, Voci), Sofia Gubaidulina (Offertorium, In Croce, In Tempus Praesens) and Georg Friedrich Haas (Guitar Quartet, Limited Approximations, Concerto Grosso No. 1). There's just tons and tons of great 20th Century music that deserves more attention.

[@falesch]

I'd tack on Berio and Haas as well, however, if limited to only ten items, I could find myself moving Haas to the next ten, or, 20. :--)

[@phomchick]

Haas is definitely worth listening to, but "In Vain" is the piece.

[@fulltongrace7899]

A wonderful and interesting talk. I love the music of Malcolm Arnold. I have that slow version of symphony 4 with the composer conducting. I found it very passionate and gripping. I would add Penderecki to the list, the three examples being the 3rd Symphony, (used in the soundtrack of Shutter Island ) Jacobs Ladder, (a sonic nightmare), and his Polish Requiem, a powerful choral masterpiece.

[@ccgrueter]

My favorite composer of the second half of the 20th century is Jerry Goldsmith. If you've never listened to Goldsmith's film scores you will be blown away by the beauty, diversity and quality of his orchestral textures.

[@ukdavepianoman]

The music for Capricorn One is extraordinary. Incredible score.

[@MegaVicar]

I would add Vagn Homboe. His Symphony no.3, Chamber Symphony no.2, and Chamber Concerto no. 3(for clarinet).

[@edwinbaumgartner5045]

This is a well chosen list. Interesting: In my own list I, also, would have encluded Crumb, although I'm not quite sure, if it's stuff for beginners. But no question that he was one of the greatest composers at least of his time. Now, I would suggest my own 10 composers, just as supplement to your list. 1) BENJAMIN BRITTEN, because he wrote a music that even touched a friend of mine, who wasn't interested in classical music at all. The three works: "Turn of the Screw", "War Requiem" and "The Prince of the Pagodas". 2) LEONARD BERNSTEIN, mostly on the same reason: His music is approachable, but written on a high level of sophistication. Intentionally, I do not include his works for Broadway. The three suggestions are: "Chichester Psalms", "Songfest" and "Serenade". 3) BORIS BLACHER, who is in his best works fresh, witty and full of charm, neoclassical in his avoidance of sentiment, but of a cool brilliance. The three works for beginners: Concertante Musik, Variationen nach einem Thema von Paganini (the same theme Rachmaninov used) and the 1st Piano Concerto 4) ALBERTO GINASTERA, because with him one gets the folklorism as well as a more avantgarde music, but an extremley approachable one because of it's directness. Three works (that's hard, I like all he has written): "Dances from Estancia", "Bomarzo" and "Cantata para América mágica". 5) NINO ROTA, because he continues the italian tradition of Rossini: a clear, wonderfully melodic music with charm and temperament, new because of the unique personality, not of techniques. The three works: "Il cappello di paglia di Firenze", Concerto for Harp and Orchestra, Suite from the ballet "La Strada"- 6) KRZYSZTOF PENDERECKI because of the widest span from extreme avantgarde to quasi tonal post Sibelian expressivity. The three works I suggest: "Threnos", "Utrenja" and 7th Symphony "The Gates of Jerusalem" 7) MICHAEL TIPPETT, because of the combination of deep humanity and expressivity in his works and the muscular joy he creates in his tonal period. The three works: "The Midsummer Marriage" (or at least the "Ritual Dances"), the Triple Concerto and the 4th symphony. 8) CLAUDE VIVIER, who wrote some of the most beautiful works I know from the 20th century; he has developed his own voice, using tonality, coloured homophony, sometimes even quarter tones, but the music is always hymnic, ecstatic or infinitely tender. Three works: "Lonely Child", "Prologue pour un Marco Polo" and "Zipangu". 9) JEAN-LOUIS FLORENTZ, a nearly unknown french composer, who wrote some great stuff for the organ; he is influenced by Messiaen and was deeply interested in African music, less in the rhythms but more in the modi. Some of his works I count to the best written in France after World War II. I suggest three works: "L'anneau de Solomon" (for orchestra), "L'ange du tamaris" (for cello solo) and "Debout sur le soleil" (for organ). 10) AULIS SALLINEN, who is not only a true opera composer, but a true symphonist also (mostly, at least). The three works: The opera "The Red Line", the 4th symphony and the Cello Concerto.

[@yvonnekoopman8598]

Thank you for your comment. It's very helpful.

[@cwm5001]

I would add Arvo Pärt whose music for me comes from another world. The two early ECM CDs, ‘Arbos’ and ‘Tabula Rasa’, are great places to start.

[@windowtrimmer8211]

My favorite Hurwitz talk yet. I’m always revising my personal list of “10 greatest musical works ever written”, but Dutilleux’s L’arbre des songes is always on that list, usually #1.

[@dalepalarz3921]

Another fine video. Thanks for getting the word out on this wonderful music. You do an excellent job of demystifying this stuff...stuff that I, myself, truly enjoy. One composer comes to mind who might well be included in this list is Iannis Xenakis, a guy whose work I truly dig. I guess I just wanted to add him into the postwar stewpot. Anyway, thanks again for the work you do. Cheers!

[@chuckdorr97]

The John Adams Harmonienlehre and Lou Harrison Piano Concerto have two good KZbin performances. Both works got my attention, but the Lou Harrison Largo Movement of the Concerto, WOW! And I grew up and lived in the SF Bay Area while some of the Adams/ Harrison composing was happening. Thanking you yet again for your efforts, always enjoyed, always appreciated.

[@timothymoore883]

Thanks for the list. I agree that the pieces you mentioned are an excellent introduction to the incredibly varied world that is late 20th Century (and beyond) music. Just a few more composers/works I haven't seen in detail in the comments yet: Morton Feldman (Coptic Light, Piano and String Quartet, Rothko Chapel) - Quiet, beautiful, dissonant, challenging, hypnotic. Usually all at the same time. Ben Johnston (String Quartet 4 "Amazing Grace", then just go to the other quartets) - Used alternative tuning systems and, at least to my ears, is among the most approachable of those that did that. Galina Ustvolskaya (Symphony 4 "Prayer", Trio for Clarinet, Violin and Piano, Composition 3 "Benedictus qui venit") - Didn't write much, at least in her mature style, but everything is extremely well crafted and rewards attentive listening.

[@sergueilarionov632]

I wish you do more video like that. It is most difficult to navigate modern music for me at least. Thanks

[@LaurelT1948]

I remember hearing Lou Harrison's Symphony No. 2 with great pleasure, so I sought our Solstice. I found a download on Presto of 5 hours of Harrison music (for $10), including Symphonies 2 & 3, Solstice, Canticle No. 3, the Grand Duo for Violin and Piano, and many more. Thanks for leading me to Lou Harrison heaven.

[@juansebastiangelvezrueda53]

Excellent talk. I'll add Arvo Pärt, he has great music, and I love the Adam's lament album with the Sinfonietta Riga and the Latvian Radio Choir

[@composingpenguin]

Gyorgi Ligeti: Musica Ricercata; Requiem; Cello Sonata. Another composer who took 20th century developments and made them his own, and in a way that is (usually) approachable. Henryk Gorecki: Symphony No. 3; Concerto for Harpsichord and String Orchestra; Three Dances for Orchestra. Ferocious repetitions.

[@simonalbrecht9435]

Ligeti’s piano etudes are great fun to listen as well!

[@anttivirolainen8223]

I’m delighted to get some new recommendations of works by Lou Harrison. I absolutely love Solstice! There is really something special about the work, something incredibly disarming. It’s so fresh, enchanting, and original - so chlidlike without being naive. P. S. Perhaps someday a talk about Messien’s Quartet for the End of Time, with recommended recordings?

[@francis-808]

Hey Dave, great list. Might you consider covering the following composers in future videos? Iannis Xenakis, Ben Johnston, Milton Babbitt, György Kurtág, György Ligeti, Friedrich Cerha, Ernst Krenek, Toru Takemitsu, Mieczysław Weinberg, Alois Hába, Richard Barrett, James Dillon, Alberto Posadas, and Gustavo Díaz-Jerez. By the way, I am curious as to why you don’t seem to think very highly of Aribert Reimann’s work? Thank you!

[@rogerknox9147]

Apart from Takemitsu and certain pieces by Ligeti this includes a lot of avant-garde and difficult-to-comprehend music.

[@markbrown6978]

Thank you so much!! I couldn't find George LLoyd Symphony No. 11 on You tube music

[@violadamore2-bu2ch]

This is a good list even for seasoned listeners.

[@rickbanales4031]

This is a wonderful list Mr. Hurwitz, I can't wait to dig into the composers I'm not that familiar with (Crumb, Lloyd). One great composer that I have gotten into is the Estonian Veljo Tormis, who is unique in his focus of choral repertoire. There are great recordings of his music: "Heaps of Songs", a wonderful recital disc, "Works for Men's Voices", which features a powerful version of his"Curse Upon Iron", and "Forgotten Peoples", a great choral cycle that brings together six suites - Livonian Heritage, Votic Wedding Songs, Izhorian Epic, Ingrian Evenings, Vespian Paths, and Karelian Destiny.

[@anthonycook6213]

Thank you for such a great list with such a broad pallette of styles, and I will certainly try the half with which I'm not familiar.

[@johnmarchington3146]

A marvellous selection of composers. I would have liked to have seen the Lutoslawski Concerto for Orchestra in the list and I'm particularly fond of the Arnold Third symphony but they are all interesting works. I was also pleased that you're a George Lloyd fan. So am I. I have all his Albany recordings. He is a wonderful composer. I loved your choices for John Adams too. Would Allan Pettersson have qualified? I know you like his symphonies.

[@bbailey7818]

Your inclusion of Lou Harrison reminded me of Harry Partch who not only marched to a different drummer but created the drum itself. What do you think of his work, Windsong, Delusion of the Fury, etc?

[@flowsouth8496]

This is a great list of composers and works that I suspect will last longer than much of what was highly regarded at the time.

[@falesch]

Thanks, David, for covering this sorely needed (and I mean in the general discourse of classical music, not only here) subject about an oft-maligned period in music. And to boot, some of these composers were in the avant-garde of their generations. I knew you'd include at least one of my favorites, but you found more than one: Henri Dutilleux(!), Witold Lutoslawski(!), George Crumb, Olivier Messiaen, and Lou Harrison. I shall have a re-look at the others and perhaps discover things I may have missed earlier in life (if that implies I haven't been in a discovery mode for a while, I, well, um...).

[@elizabethj8510]

"Systematically deformed": I'm going to work that into a conversation. Seriously, this episode and the one on sixteen composers who dumped serialism--what a breath of fresh air! On Sundays I like to listen to podcasts or KZbin channels like yours to stretch my mind. Although I'm familiar with many late 20th c. composers like Penderecki, Ligeti, Reich, I appreciate the introduction to names and sounds new to me. Thanks, Dave.

[@tlewis171]

I know Arnold was an excellent, versatile composer, but the first thing that always pops into my mind when I hear his name is the school song from the early St Trinian films

[@llucrescu9058]

As an adventurous beginner, this video is very helpful for me! I love Litoslawsky's Concerto for Orchestra, so I have to explore further. Same situation with Different Trans by Reich and Turangalila-Symphonie by Messiaen. (I think Salonen does a good job in Turangalila.) All the other composers from your list are almost completely unknown to me, so I have a lot to search for. Some of the post-war composers I like and are not on your list are: - Ligety - Lontano, Atmosphères, Violin Concerto (I know you are not especially fond of Kopatchinskaja, but I think she fits in this one.) - Xenakis - La legende d'air, String quartets 1-4 (The Jack Quartet are great!) - Penderecki - Cello concerto no 2 (Rostropovich/Penderecki), Threnody, De natura sonoris1&2. I know you mentioned Penderecki a lot in your past videos So, you gave me a lot to search for, again. And I'm sure I'll get more from the community here. Thank you!

[@falesch]

"La legende d'air, String quartets 1-4" A beginner? Well, you sure know how to pick 'em!

[@llucrescu9058]

@@falesch Thank you! Not just a beginer, an adventurous one :) Actually, knowing only 2 works from a list of 30, makes me as a beginer.

[@steveclaflin594]

I appreciate these lists. It's always a wonderful feeling to "find" a new composer in what appears superficially to be a fairly static realm. One thing that would be great, but I suspect prevented by legal considerations, would be to play snippets of various pieces within the video. Right now I watch these on my phone, sitting in front of my computer so I can pause you and do research. Otherwise your vid gets pushed aside by whatever I want to hear a bit of. Others I might add to your list, some of whom may have a limited selection available: Bax, Roy Harris, Gorecki, Delius, Creston, Schuman, and Rubbra, who I found as a youth courtesy of the MHS monthly selections. And has anyone ever heard of Jacques Murgier?

[@stevecook8934]

I often have the sensation that you have been in my CD collection. Hopefully that means we both have good taste!

[@torrontescafayate6157]

Here are a few not mentioned in either video or comments that are worthy of attention (in my view): Krzysztof Penderecki Magnus Lindberg Frank Martin Kaija Saariaho Colin & David Matthews Philip Glass George Rochberg Erkki-Sven Tüür Alan Pettersson Jennifer Higdon There's plenty more 😃. Ten's too few.

[@brianburtt7053]

Pettersson is one of my favorite composers. But I think that one needs a little warning to the uninitiated. :)

[@falesch]

Oh yes - Magnus Lindberg! You know, in 2oo9 when the NYP named him composer in residence, I nearly fell off my chair. A stodgy institution like a major US orchestra taking in a firebrand avant-gardeist blew my mind. That's not to say he hasn't done some relatively conservative things subsequently, but still, he's the real deal.

[@nicholasjagger6557]

I must confess after several years of watching your videos, that I dropped off my perch on reading your list, such was its interest, and I'm sure most of your viewers would gain by widening their listening, who wouldn't? Anyway, I'm following up the Crumb right now, being the one I don't know. Your interests in Lloyd and Arnold persuaded me to give them a try, much to my benefit, so now to Crumb. Thanks Dave. This is a ripe area for a second ten, again in no particular order, or maybe six Nordic composers combining your championing of smaller labels.

[@Freinztime]

New York Counterpoint is a fantastic Steve Reich piece and (possibly) overlooked. If you've lived in The City it even speaks more to you, I think.

[@allthisuselessbeauty-kr7]

I'd add John Corigliano's splendid 1st Symphony, 3rd Symphony Circus Maximus and theThree Hallucinations for orchestra from Altered States.

[@jennyrook]

A lovely selection! The only one I don't know, to my shame, is George LLoyd. I shall hasten to find him. Have you come across Harry Parch? Taking making your own instruments to a fine art....

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I done a video on him, and I use him as a ring tone.

[@bplonutube]

I really appreciate this list. I’ve got a ton of recordings and I have many of these but I just kind of go back to the same old chestnuts. I really need to branch out and listen to more of the music of our time. I trust your opinion And look forward to finding some things that I enjoy as much as my old standbys.

[@damianthompson703]

I've been listening to the 6th symphony of Christopher Rouse, recorded by Louis Langrée and the Cincinnati SO. You've written enthusiastically about his earlier works; this one was written during terminal illness and addresses the subject. It's extremely disturbing and memorable. I'd be interested in your thoughts!

[@gilbertgeraud5406]

Thank-you for your quick response and i will pay the greatest attention to the composers you have recommanded. In fact i know quite well the the two french composers that are on your list: Messiaen and Dutilleux. Turangalila symphony is not messiaen’s work that i prefer; though there are wonderfull moments, it is quite difficut to grasp the unity of the work. My favorite is the ‘quatuor pour la fin des temps’ that he wrote in a concentration camp in 1940. Dutilleux was lucky to live very old; he died in 2013 and was 97. Despite the dictates you talked about, he managed to dig his own path and created his own langage. His cello concerto is a great work. What about Varèse ? When i was in high school ,Riley was popular in France and i found his music boring but i will listen more carefully to his compositions. The last four composers of your list are completely unknown to me. What you have said about the third symphony of Rautavaara looks interesting and i will start with him. I wish you a good day.

[@ukdavepianoman]

I'd add Tippett - Symphony 2, Fantasia on a Theme of Corelli (very erotic), Piano Concerto and the piano sonatas.

[@brianburtt7053]

For folks that like the more intense end of soundtrack music, check out Wojciech Kilar...and then his non-soundtrack orchestral music.

[@grahamharfleet6026]

Another inspiring talk. I am getting such a lot out of these videos. I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on the music of Peter Maxwell Davies. I saw him conduct his third symphony with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in Manchester back in the 90s. I subsequently bought the CD of him conducting the work with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. I found it to be a real slow burner but I have grown to really love it. The sound of the timpani in the final movement I find to be exhilarating.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Honestly, I think his symphonies and other "abstract' orchestral and chamber works are just terrible, on average.

[@edwinbaumgartner5045]

@@DavesClassicalGuide He wrote too much, let's be honest. But in his best moments, he can be a very compelling composer, in my view, f.e. "An Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise", "A Spell for Green Corn" or "The Lighthouse". I remember also that the 3rd symphony made a much more stronger impression than the others, and then, there is one work besides "The Lighthouse", I really admire, it's "Worldes Blis", a "motet for orchestra".

[@falesch]

@@edwinbaumgartner5045 "He wrote too much..." Yes, I think he did! Of his vast output, I respond to small percentage, but in that small group are a few that I hold dear, and you mentioned some. The Symphonies No 2 and 3, Worldes Blis, The Lighthouse, some of the Strathclyde Concertos, and the slow burn but very compelling "cantata" Into The Labyrinth are the first to come to mind. I think that his wonderful way with polytonality is among the things I strongly respond to. One of the greatest post-war composers, IMO.

[@falesch]

I must point out to anyone who might be motivated to explore "Into the Labyrinth," a piece I'm infatuated with. I know of only one site on the web which has it streaming, Spotify (I haven't checked any of the HD sites, however). WARNING: DO NOT BOTHER with Spotify! They made a mess of it. The sections are out of sequence, which of course destroys the piece! It's one continuous piece, no pauses, but in their "wisdom", they divided it into separate tracks!!

[@Ingrampix]

@@DavesClassicalGuide I was involved with the premiere of the Naxos Quartet no 7, and around the same time went to rehearsals of Symphony 8 with Sir Peter. I discussed with him quite a bit the different kinds of music he wrote. He was clearly relaxed about many of the bigger abstract works having an audience vanishingly small. I did tell him I wished he had written more of the other kind, too. Not wishing to trespass on Dave's ground, I'd suggest these non-symphonies (in no order) for adventurous listeners - Seven Songs Home St. Thomas Wake Sinfonietta Accademica Missa l'Homme Armé Lullaby for Lucy Missa Parvula Points and Dances from 'Taverner' Second Fantasia (before the symphonies, and better IMO)

[@williamwhittle216]

Would Rubbra's 5th Symphony not be adventurous enough? Great and accessible work. I've been rehearing all his symphonies. There are more post wares after the 5th.

[@williamwhittle216]

Errata: “Post war Symphoniies after the 5th (1948)”

[@brahms83xxx]

How do you think of György Ligeti? Can you recommend any of his works?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Sure. He's terrific. Check out reviews on ClassicsToday.com for a selection of recordings of various works.

[@windowtrimmer8211]

An ingenious work of Ligeti’s middle period, and his last for large orchestra, is “San Francisco Polyphony”. From his later period, the Piano Concerto and Violin Concerto never cease to amaze.

[@murraylow4523]

Last time I looked on Amazon, there were two reasonably inexpensive ligeti sets still available from Teldec (Warner) and DG. The latter, called “Clear or Cloudy”, probably has the better overview, and overlaps with the other, but there are some fun things only in the Teldec set. Sadly Sony hasn’t seen fit to box up its Ligeti edition CDs (which are very good/ interesting) but you can still seemingly get many of them individually

[@UlfilasNZ]

@@murraylow4523 It is boxed up actually - it's called "György Ligeti Masterworks" and the Teldec recordings are a continuation of that series.

[@rogerknox9147]

Wow just from looking at it this is a fine selection, great music without special pleading for music that we "ought to like" but don't.

[@Elvenraad]

Another recommendation: James MacMillan (Tryst, The Confession of Isobel Gowdie, Seven Last Words from the Cross)

[@FREDGARRISON]

Being a Vietnam veteran, POST WAR? Was there ever a time when America wasn't at war? yuk yuk Does Harry Partch and Marc Blitzstein fall into this era or were they from an earlier period? I know, you said only 10. Guess you could go on forever on a subject like this. C ya, Fred

[@UlfilasNZ]

To quote Morrissey: America is not the world.

[@Bachback]

Modern and Accessible. Just the Ticket.