Aja on 18/4/2006 at 21:52

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This semester I took an introductory course in western art music, and I'm liking the late 19th and 20th century works.

I'd try not to sound like a name-dropper but everyone knows that's exactly what I am. So screw it. :thumb:

Of the music that comes with the textbook, I really enjoyed the following:

Debussy's "Clouds", Chopin's "Nocturne in F-sharp (Op 15 No.2)", Stravinksy's Rite of Spring, Bartok's Music for Strings Percussion and Celesta II, Weburn's Five Orchestral Pieces, Ligeti's Lux aeterna, Varese's Poeme Electronique, and Reich's Tehillim (I like the Reich in particular), John Cage's prepared piano stuff (played in class but not in the text, so I don't know what it's called). The prof also played some cool minimalist music, but again, I can't remember who it was.

And you can laugh all you want, but Zappa's Civilization Phaze III is one of the most (http://www.ualberta.ca/~letersky/Zappa/put_a_motor_in_yourself.mp3) interesting and atmospheric orchestral (though much of it is synthesized) albums I've heard. It's a shame he doesn't get included amongst the other famous 20th century composers (or maybe he does, but certainly not in my text).

It's a diverse list, but I'm interested in hearing more of all of those genres. I know I once called Charles Ives an obscure composer but I'm trying to make up for it now, dammit! Speaking of which, I think I like Ives, too. :D

ps - that link is illegal so shhhhh!

jstnomega on 19/4/2006 at 00:14

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Philip Glass: seconded. Akhnaten & Concerto for Violin & Orchestra (1987) are very listenable. Beware! This guy makes Zappa seem unprolific.

"Wagner's music is much better than it sounds." - Mark Twain

Kolya on 19/4/2006 at 01:59

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Stop listening to dead people. That's sentimental.
Morrissey, Prince and the Strokes are all alive (more or less) and have recently released new albums. :D

Aja on 19/4/2006 at 02:27

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You assume I know him? I've never heard of him :p

Thanks so much, though. I will be checking out every recommendation here, provided I can find them all. DC++ is acting up on me, but it wouldnt' be the first time. I'll report back with impressions, that is, if anyone's interested.

I am curious - is Frank Zappa even talked about in music circles? Until now, the only music I listened to that remotely resembled orchestral music was his, so I'm wondering how music afficianados generally rank it in relation to the supposed 20th century greats (if at all).

Scots Taffer on 19/4/2006 at 03:26

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O FORTUNA STARS IN:

http://i3.tinypic.com/vxci1u.jpg

But yeah, everyone knows O Fortuna. It's great. Especially when it's played so loud that every panel of glass in your room is vibrating and the chorale bass is trembling the floor beneath your feet.

In fact, it's the only way to play O Fortuna. The rest of Carmina Burana is also excellent, but it pales into comparison to O Fortuna - however the cowbell factor must be taken into consideration.

I'll second Philip Glass, I only own four tracks of his - the three movements of the Violin Concerto and a piece called "Definition" from some Yo-Yo Ma Cello compilation my wife has. This man knows his strings. I am on a quest to find all of his string-based works.

I'll be checking out some of these, for sure. Oh and Tonamel: is the Lux Aeterna mentioned above the same piece that features in Requiem for a Dream?