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Description
21st-century classical music is art music in the contemporary classical tradition that has been produced since the year 2000.
A loose and ongoing period, it is defined entirely by the calendar rather than a single unifying aesthetic, encompassing a vast array of styles including post-minimalism, spectralism, and polystylism.
This era is characterized by the breakdown of rigid barriers between 'high' art and other genres, with composers frequently incorporating elements from electronic music, rock, pop, jazz, and global folk traditions.
Technology plays a central role, with the integration of digital electronics, visual media, and amplification becoming common in concert hall settings.
Sources: Spotify, Wikipedia, Discogs, Rate Your Music, MusicBrainz, and other online sources
History
The history of 21st-century classical music is defined by a move away from the rigid academic modernism that characterized much of the mid-20th century.
As the 21st century began, the 'ivory tower' aesthetic of serialism and high modernism gave way to a more inclusive and eclectic approach. Composers began to freely mix tonal and atonal elements, prioritizing communication with the audience over strict adherence to theoretical systems.
In the United States, particularly in New York, a movement often dubbed 'Indie Classical' emerged. Spearheaded by organizations like Bang on a Can and composers like Nico Muhly and Bryce Dessner, this scene blurred the lines between classical ensembles and rock bands, performing in clubs and using amplification.
The era has seen a massive integration of technology, with composers like Mason Bates bringing laptop electronics into the symphony orchestra. Simultaneously, the canon has expanded globally, with significant contributions from composers outside the traditional European/American axis, such as Unsuk Chin and Tan Dun, and a marked increase in the prominence of female composers like Kaija Saariaho and Jennifer Higdon.
How to make a track in this genre
Composing 21st-century classical music requires an open mind and a willingness to blend diverse influences.
While traditional orchestral and chamber instruments remain central, feel free to augment them with electronics, synthesizers, or non-Western instruments. Amplification and backing tracks are increasingly accepted in concert settings.
There are no strict rules. You can utilize functional tonality, extended chords, or atonality depending on the emotional need. Rhythmically, the music often draws from the pulse and groove of minimalism or popular music, but can also employ complex, non-metric textures typical of modernism.
Work closely with living performers. The divide between composer and performer is shrinking; many pieces are written for specific musicians' unique capabilities. Use standard notation software like Sibelius or Dorico, but don't hesitate to use graphic scores or text instructions for experimental sections.
