Aaron Copland, Appalachian Spring, Excerpt with Variations on Tis the Gift to Be Simple
Copland ballet that incorporated the shaker hymn “Simple Gifts.” An example of American folk tunes.
William Grant Still, Afro-American Symphony, First Movement
Still’s symphony in sonata form that incorporated blues rhythm, spiritual melody, and call and response.
Oliver Messiaen, Quartet for the End of Time, First Movement(Liturgie de Cryistal)
Messiaen’s quartet that used color and talea(repeated musical patterns). Represents the progression of time in the sense of creation. Composed and performed in concentration camp.
Benjamin Britten, Peter Grimes, from Act III, scene 2, “To hell with all your mercy!”
Britten’s opera that shows his social activism. Uses bitonality
John Cage, Sonatas and Interludes, Sonata V
Cage’s suite for prepared piano written in square root form. Objects are inserted into the piano in order to create percussive sounds. Challenges the idea of notation and pitch.
Morton Feldman, Projection I
Feldman’s solo for cello that uses a “graphic score” and exercises the idea of indeterminate music.
Milton Babbitt, Philomel, Section I
Babbit’s vocal piece for soprano, recorded soprano, and synthesized sound. Based on story of Ovid and uses word painting.
John Adams, Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Adams minimalist orchestral fanfare that incorporates frequent, slight changes in rhythm, instrumentation, or harmony create a sense of constant evolution
Michael Daugherty, Dead Elvis
Daugherty’s work for solo bassoon and chamber ensemble that payed tribute to Elvis. Incorporated modernist ideas with popular music.