Expert: David Froom - 4/26/2005

Question
The broadness of my original question is due to my complete ignorance of the genre. I suppose it'd have to be from a living composer since I'm looking for works composed in just the last 5 years (unless they died VERY recently). Something very accomplished, innovative, important, and widely revered above much of the rest of classical works in the past 5 years would be perfect. Because I'm not even sure what I like, I'm most interested in what classical music critics most highly revere at the moment of very recent works. I'm not particularily interested in composers pushing in a pop direction unless it coincidentally fits the other criteria.

Does that help? Giving me a long list with a special few 'at the top' would certainly be welcome, if you can't really narrow it down with my inadequately specific question.

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Followup To
Question -
Have there been any particular recordings in the 21st century (the last 5 years) that are emerging as highly accomplished, innovative, or important works? As a shameless pop music fan trying to expand his musical horizons, I ask: What's the KID A of 21st century classical music? Is there one? Are there several? And, who else should I ask?
Answer -
There is so much, it is almost impossible to know where to start!  There are so many different kinds of things going on.  Can you narrow your critera a bit?  Do you want pieces by living composers?  Or do you want pieces only by young composers?  How old?  Could you give me a sense of what you are attracted to so I can point you in a particular direction?  Do you already like, for example, Britten?  Cage?  Parch?  Stravinsky?  Copland?  Bartok? Gorecki?  Schoenberg?  Or are you interested in the folks who are pushing in a pop direction?

David Froom

Answer
You might look to the lists of winners of the Pulitzer -- or even the finalists (posted on the Pulitzer site).  Also the winners of the Grawmeyer award.

Some people to look for might be:

Thomas Ades
Lee Hyla
Paul Moravec
David Rakowski
Augusta Read Thomas
Jennifer Higdon
Peter Lieberson
Steve Reich

Of the older folks (past 70), you might look at Gyorgi Ligeti or Elliott Carter.

These folks are all pretty consistently good.  Anything you can find on record of any of them would be a rewarding listen.  If you find something you do like, you should explore that composer further.

Two places to get some samples of what is going on:

http://www.artofthestates.org

And http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/listen/
(Click on "radio player on demand," then "classical," then "Hear and Now."  This is a radio program of very high quality stuff, and it changes weekly.)

Happy listening.  When you get to find that you have some preferences, come back, and I'll steer you further.

David Froom