My Favorite 20th Century Composers
As for the 20th century music,
almost all the composers I enjoyed are from
Russia/Eastern Europe, or that part of the world:
Shostakovich,
Gorecki, Ustvulskaya, Vainberg,
Schnittke, Khachaturian, Tischenko...
Our fellow Chinese, Tan (last name) Dun (first name) is interesting to
listen to also.
My Favorite Living Composers
-
Gorecki and Ustvulskaya:
They are my favorites composers still alive today.
Although their music is so intense, dark, and often times utterly hopeless,
I am reassured of the survival of great musical heritage.
It's impossible to find their music performed in live concerts,
and very hard to find recordings.
However, I love everything they wrote that I have heard on recordings.
-
Tischenko and Vainberg:
Similar to Gorecki and Ustvulskaya,
but even harder to get their music and recordings.
They share some common bond to Shostakovich,
their teacher and/or mentor.
I really hope that this list can get longer and longer ....
Prepared by Jeff Tian
(tian@engr.smu.edu).
Last update March 19, 2003.
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