Contemporary classical music

In the broadest sense, contemporary music is any music being written in the present day. In the context of classical music the term applies to music written in the last half century or so, particularly works post-1960. The argument over whether the term applies to music in any style, or whether it applies only to composers writing avant-garde music, or "modernist" music is a subject of hot debate. There is some use of "Contemporary" as a synonym for "Modern", particularly in academic settings, whereas others are more restrictive and apply the term only to presently living composers and their works. Since it is a word that describes a time frame, rather than a particular style or unifying idea, there are no universally agreed on criteria for making these distinctions.

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Many contemporary composers working the early 21st century were prominent figures in the 20th century, including György Ligeti, Mauricio Kagel, Harrison Birtwistle, Elliot Carter, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, John Adams and Henri Dutilleux and many younger figures such as Oliver Knussen, Thomas Adès and Lera Auerbach. Artists also include Michael Nyman, Craig Armstrong, Ludovico Einaudi, Thomas Newman, Howard Shore, James Newton Howard, Roberto Carnevale and Karl Jenkins. For more examples see: List of 21st century classical composers.

Related Topics:
György Ligeti - Mauricio Kagel - Harrison Birtwistle - Elliot Carter - Steve Reich - Philip Glass - John Adams - Henri Dutilleux - Oliver Knussen - Thomas Adès - Lera Auerbach - Michael Nyman - Craig Armstrong - Ludovico Einaudi - Thomas Newman - Howard Shore - James Newton Howard - Roberto Carnevale - Karl Jenkins - List of 21st century classical composers

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There are a number of festivals dedicated to contemporary music, among them the Donaueschingen Festival of Contemporary Music and Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.

Related Topics:
Donaueschingen Festival of Contemporary Music - Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival

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Contemporary classical music can be heard in film scores and other program music, such as Tan Dun's score for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Philip Glass's score for The Hours, Howard Shore's scores for Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films, and Karl Jenkins' theme used by De Beers in their advertising campaign.

Related Topics:
Film scores - Program music - Tan Dun's - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Philip Glass's - The Hours - Howard Shore's - Peter Jackson's - Lord of the Rings films - Karl Jenkins' - De Beers

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