Why is Contemporary Classical Music Considered a Modern Music?

If you are a fan of classical music, you can tell that contemporary classical music differs significantly from its predecessor.

Many music listeners opine that contemporary classical music is modern music because it relies on modern musical equipment and is more inclined towards contemporary music.

It is true because performing a new classical piece without using modern equipment today is unimaginable!

However, the question remains: does using modern equipment make contemporary classical a form of contemporary music?

Not really; the intent of the music and composition makes it either modern or classical.

As in traditional music, classical focuses on social functions, whereas modern music goes along with different activities, experimentation, and moods.

Therefore, if you are to create a classical piece today, you would be building it for modern music listeners, which would make it contemporary music.

What Differentiates Contemporary Classical Music from Its Predecessor?

Contemporary classical music differs a lot from its predecessor. By predecessor, we meant Classical music, including Baroque and late classical, lasting from the 16th to early 20th Century.

The classical music of 1600–1900 comprised modernist, postmodern, neuro mantic, and pluralist music that began in Western Europe and America.

The classical form followed the established forms, for example, symphony and sonata forms.

On the other hand, the contemporary classical began after the death of Anton Webern, which marks the jump from the classical form to art music such as post-tonal music.

The contemporary classical includes serial music, electroacoustic, musique, experimental, atonal, minimalist, and other forms of experimentation.

Here are some significant differences between the two.

1. Forms and Structure

Classical music followed forms and structures that never changed.

It followed the symphony form, which included several large sections or movements with at least one employing sonata (first movement).

It also consists of four main sections; the strings, the woodwinds, the brass, and the percussion.

The great composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Johann Sebastian championed classical music.

The contemporary classical form takes a breakaway toward aleatoric music or chance music that provides greater flexibility.

It includes a broad range of sounds, compositional scenes, and styles.

Some of the renowned composers include John Adams, Arvo part, Steve Reich, and Hans Zimmer (Batman Trilogy, Interstellar, and Inception)

2. Technology and Music

Classical music relies only on traditional instruments, whereas contemporary music combines both instruments and technology to produce effects on sounds and rhythms.

A contemporary classical period has an advantage over the classical period because composers today can use various instruments and integrate them with technology to produce non-monotonous music.

The classical composers relied on strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, and key.

The contemporary classical composers rely on all of these instruments in addition to electric guitar, acoustic drum, saxophone, synthesizers, and digital equipment.

4. Contrasting Period

Classical music was formed and developed over the centuries, giving it distinct names; medieval, renaissance, baroque, and romantic.

Each period of classical music defines the time hailed by aristocracy, peasantry, mass poverty, and war.

In fact, classical music was only accessible to a handful of people who were royalty, wealthy, and aristocrats.

The daily-wage workers never had the pleasure of listening to any form of classical music.

Therefore, the music patrons were the regular concert-goers who splurged and sponsored different composers.

The time has vastly changed today. Contemporary classical music has paved the way for all segments of people.

Both wealthy and poor can afford to listen to classical music today, mainly contributing to the internet and massive outreach.

Moreover, the composers may come from any walk of life and become maestros with assistance from schools, teachers, and online resources.

5. Experimentation

Classical music went through many changes but was rarely experimented with because the composers shunned the idea.

In John Cage’s infamous three-movement composition 4'33'’ (1952), the performers sit in silence for 4 minutes and 33 seconds.

The composer’s idea is to allow the audience participation through their sound.

If a classical period composer did the same, the audience and other composers would go berserk.

Similarly, modern composers regularly experiment with notations, new instruments, and technology to produce unique sounds.

Therefore, you are more likely to find diversity in contemporary classical music than in classical music.

Key Takeaways

· Classical music birthed the notation, rhythm, and compositions that paved the way for contemporary classical music.

· On the other hand, contemporary classical music encompassesvarious sounds, compositional scenes, and styles.

· It explores serialism, minimalism, experimentalism, and spectral music.

· Classical music was only accessible to a handful of patrons.

· Contemporary classical music is accessible to everyone around the world.

Conclusion

Did you know the tension of the 230-odd strings in a grand piano exerts a combined force of 20tonnes on the cast iron frame?

There are so many interesting facts about classical music that makes it one of the most compelling forms of music.

Although classical and contemporary music differs in many ways, they share significant similarities and are hailed by music listeners worldwide.

Check this infographic out for more information.

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