Have you heard of Milton Babbitt, Henry Cowell or Elliot Carter? These are the names of a few well known contemporary classical music composers of recent times. Though they are classed as artists of the classical music grouping, the contemporary sub genre that they have been pigeon holed under may sound nothing like the typical traditional music that you or I know of.
This modern form of traditional Western music was developed by a group of composers that felt tired by the standard format of their time. For centuries classical music had been playing out within fixed boundaries and after the First World War new forms of music were stating to take center stage. Classical musicians and composers took this chance to change the stereotypes that had been given to their much loved genre.
The first time people listen to a live or recorded contemporary classical music recital you may be surprised by what you hear, arrangements are scattered, there is no fixed tonal ranges and composers will mix in prerecorded sound affects of all types, it can seem like a surrealist’s nightmare. When asked many contemporary music writers will tell you that there is a structure and pattern in the song, it’s just that people are not familiar with it yet.
As human beings we tend to look for patterns in everything that we see, whether it is a visual image or audio sound. The simpler the pattern the easier it is to for your brain to make sense of and enjoy. Dance music today make use of a 4/4 bar beat which is very simple and runs through the whole track, vocals and several other instrument parts are added to give a pleasing sound that doesn’t require much thought. On the other hand modern classical music is very challenging for first time listeners and requires a lot of attention in order to make any sense of the music.
It is believed that famous classical composers like Mozart and Bach subconsciously stuck to strict musical guidelines, which are much easier for audiences to listen to. Since a young age we are exposed to various forms of music and their arrangements tend to stick with us, so whenever we listen to a new piece of music we’re already predicting what notes or tones will follow on from the last. If the song presents mixed up, unfamiliar tones our brains get muddled up and cannot enjoy the sound.
If you’re determined to give contemporary classical music a try, then allow yourself to listen to a song or two once a day. Gradually your mind will get used to and start appreciating new sounds that you never thought you were capable of enjoying.
