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Ludwig Van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist, widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in Western music history. His works, including Symphony No. 5, Symphony No. 9, and Moonlight Sonata, revolutionized classical music with their emotional depth, structural innovation, and expansion of orchestral possibilities. Beethoven’s music bridges the Classical and Romantic periods, with his later works reflecting his personal struggles, including his battle with deafness. -
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Felix Mendelssohn
Felix Mendelssohn was a German composer, pianist, and conductor, known for his expressive melodies and mastery of form. His works, such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Symphony No. 4 ("Italian"), and Violin Concerto in E minor, combine classical traditions with Romantic expressiveness. Mendelssohn was a prominent figure in 19th-century music, contributing to the revival of interest in the music of Bach and influencing the development of German Romanticism. -
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Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner was a German composer and conductor, famous for his groundbreaking operas and innovations in music drama. His monumental works, such as The Ring Cycle, Tristan und Isolde, and The Flying Dutchman, are known for their complex orchestration, use of leitmotifs, and exploration of deep philosophical and mythological themes. Wagner revolutionized opera with his concept of Gesamtkunstwerk, blending music, poetry, and staging into a unified whole. -
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Antonín Dvořák
Antonín Dvořák was a Czech composer, known for his mastery of melody and incorporation of Bohemian folk music into classical forms. His works, such as Symphony No. 9 (From the New World) and Slavonic Dances, are celebrated for their lyrical beauty, rhythmic vitality, and ability to bridge national and universal musical elements. -
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Edward Elgar
Edward Elgar was an English composer, best known for his orchestral works and contributions to British classical music. His most famous pieces, including Pomp and Circumstance and Enigma Variations, are celebrated for their grandeur, emotional depth, and innovative orchestration. -
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Giacomo Puccini
Giacomo Puccini was an Italian composer, renowned for his operatic works characterized by emotional depth, rich melodies, and dramatic intensity. His famous operas, such as La Bohème, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly, are staples of the operatic repertoire. -
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Gustav Mahler
Gustav Mahler was an Austrian composer and conductor, known for his monumental symphonies and deeply emotional music. His works, such as Symphony No. 2 ("Resurrection") and Symphony No. 5, are celebrated for their complex structures, orchestral richness, and profound exploration of life and death. -
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Claude Debussy
Claude Debussy was a French composer, widely regarded as a leading figure in Impressionism. His works, such as Clair de Lune and Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, are known for their innovative use of harmony, texture, and color, creating atmospheric and evocative soundscapes. -
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Richard Strauss
Richard Strauss was a German composer and conductor, renowned for his operatic and symphonic works. His famous compositions, such as Also sprach Zarathustra, Der Rosenkavalier, and Ein Heldenleben, are known for their lush orchestration, complex harmonies, and dramatic intensity. -
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Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer, known for his symphonic works and deep connection to Finnish nationalism. His most famous compositions, such as Finlandia, Symphony No. 2, and Valse Triste, are celebrated for their rich orchestration, emotive power, and evocative depiction of nature and the Finnish landscape. -
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Carl Nielson
Carl Nielsen was a Danish composer, widely regarded as Denmark's most significant composer. His works, such as Symphony No. 4 ("The Inextinguishable") and Clarinet Concerto, combine rich harmonies with rhythmic innovation. Nielsen's music is known for its national character, drawing on Danish folk music, while embracing modernist techniques. His symphonies, chamber works, and operas have earned him a lasting place in the Western classical music canon. -
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Erik Satie
Erik Satie was a French composer and pianist, known for his unconventional approach to music and early influence on modernism. His works, such as Gymnopédies, are characterized by simplicity, ambiguity, and a unique blend of impressionism and minimalism. -
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Arturo Toscanini
Arturo Toscanini was an Italian conductor, renowned for his precision and dynamic interpretations. He led major orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic and NBC Symphony Orchestra, and was a champion of composers like Verdi, Wagner, and Brahms. Toscanini’s recordings set new standards in orchestral performance, making him a symbol of artistic excellence in classical music. -
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Scott Joplin
Scott Joplin was an American composer and pianist, widely regarded as the "King of Ragtime." His works, such as The Entertainer and Maple Leaf Rag, are celebrated for their syncopated rhythms, melodic invention, and significant influence on American popular music and jazz. Joplin also composed operas, including Treemonisha, showcasing his ambition to elevate ragtime to the concert stage. -
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Will Martin Cook
Will Martin Cook was one of the pioneering bandmasters of the U.S. Army during World War I. He played a significant role in shaping military band traditions, contributing to the development of the Army's musical programs. Cook's leadership helped elevate the importance of music in military morale, and his influence is remembered as a foundational figure in the establishment of military bands as vital components of U.S. Army operations during the war. -
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Serge Koussevitzky
Serge Koussevitzky was a Russian-born conductor and composer, known for his leadership of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and his support of contemporary music. He commissioned works from composers such as Stravinsky, Bartók, and Ravel, and his own compositions, including Double Bass Concerto, are noted for their rich orchestration and expressive depth. -
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Arnold Schoenberg
Arnold Schoenberg was an Austrian composer and a key figure in the development of atonal and twelve-tone music. His groundbreaking works, such as Verklärte Nacht and Suite for Piano, pushed the boundaries of tonality and influenced modern music through his development of the twelve-tone technique. -
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Charles Ives
Charles Ives was an American composer known for his experimental and highly original music, often blending American folk tunes, hymns, and complex harmonies. His works, such as The Unanswered Question and Symphony No. 4, push the boundaries of traditional tonality and explore unconventional structures and polytonality. -
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Bayreuth Festival
The Bayreuth Festival is an annual event in Bayreuth, Germany, dedicated to the works of Richard Wagner. Founded in 1876, it is held at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, known for its unique acoustics. The festival celebrates Wagner’s operas, including The Ring Cycle, and remains a prestigious gathering for classical music enthusiasts. -
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Béla Bartók
Béla Bartók was a Hungarian composer, pianist, and ethnomusicologist, known for blending traditional folk music with modernist techniques. His works, such as Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta and Concerto for Orchestra, are celebrated for their rhythmic complexity, innovative harmonies, and use of Eastern European folk elements. -
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Percy Grainger
Percy Grainger was an Australian-born composer and conductor, known for his folk-inspired music and unique arrangements. His works, such as Lincolnshire Posy and Country Gardens, blend lush harmonies with rhythmic energy, making him a key figure in early 20th-century music. -
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Igor Stravinsky
Igor Stravinsky was a Russian composer, widely regarded as one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. His groundbreaking works, such as The Firebird, Petrushka, and The Rite of Spring, revolutionized classical music with their bold rhythms, innovative orchestration, and use of dissonance. Stravinsky's style evolved throughout his career, incorporating neoclassicism and serialism. -
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Anton Webern
Anton Webern was an Austrian composer and key figure in the Second Viennese School, known for his highly condensed, atonal compositions. His works, such as Symphony Op. 21, are marked by sparse textures and intricate use of twelve-tone technique. -
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Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini was the leader of Italy from 1922 to 1943 and the founder of Italian Fascism. His regime promoted nationalism and militarism, using media, including music and arts, as tools for propaganda. Mussolini controlled cultural expression while suppressing dissent and aligned with Nazi Germany during WWII, leading to his eventual downfall. -
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Alban Berg
Alban Berg was an Austrian composer and a member of the Second Viennese School, known for his expressive use of twelve-tone technique. His notable works, such as Lyric Suite and Wozzeck, combine atonality with emotional depth and dramatic intensity. -
Gymnopédies- Erik Satie
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Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist, widely regarded as one of the greatest songwriters in American history. Known for timeless classics like White Christmas, God Bless America, and Cheek to Cheek, his music captured the spirit of the 20th century. Berlin's prolific career and ability to craft enduring melodies made him a central figure in American popular music and musical theater. -
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Walter Piston
Walter Piston was an American composer and music educator, known for his contributions to orchestral and chamber music. His works, such as Symphony No. 1 and Chamber Music, combine classical forms with modern harmonic language. Piston’s clear, structured compositions and his role as a teacher at Harvard University greatly influenced American music in the mid-20th century. -
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William Shuman
William Schuman was an American composer and music educator, known for his symphonic works and contributions to American classical music. His compositions, such as Symphony No. 3 and American Festival Overture, combine modernist techniques with nationalistic themes. Schuman was also a significant figure in music education, serving as the president of the Juilliard School and the first president of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. -
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Paul Hindemith
Paul Hindemith was a German composer, conductor, and violist, known for his prolific output and unique harmonic language. His works, such as Symphonic Metamorphosis and Mathis der Maler, blend traditional tonality with modern techniques, and his contributions to instrumental music, especially for the viola, have left a lasting impact on 20th-century classical music. -
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Virgil Thomson
Virgil Thomson was an American composer and music critic, known for his distinct blend of modernism and Americana. His works, such as Four Saints in Three Acts and Piano Concerto, combine simplicity, folk influences, and expressive melodies, often with a lyrical and conversational style. -
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Howard Hanson
Howard Hanson was an American composer and conductor, known for his lush, romantic style and his contributions to American classical music. His works, such as Symphony No. 2 ("Romantic") and Nordic Symphony, blend European orchestral traditions with American themes. Hanson was also a prominent educator, serving as the director of the Eastman School of Music for over 40 years, where he influenced generations of composers. -
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Joseph Goebbel
Joseph Goebbels was the Minister of Propaganda in Nazi Germany, overseeing the manipulation of media, arts, and culture to support the Nazi regime. He used music, film, and other art forms to spread Nazi ideology and suppress opposing views, promoting works that aligned with Nazi values while banning "degenerate" art. His influence on the arts remains controversial due to his role in fostering oppressive cultural policies. -
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George Gershwin
George Gershwin was an American composer and pianist, famous for bridging the gap between classical music and jazz. His iconic works, such as Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris, and the opera Porgy and Bess, are known for their rhythmic vitality, melodic inventiveness, and fusion of popular and classical styles. -
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Roy harris
Roy Harris was an American composer, known for his contributions to 20th-century classical music and his distinctive blend of American folk elements with classical forms. His works, such as Symphony No. 3 and American Serenade, reflect his deep connection to the American landscape and spirit. Harris is considered one of the leading composers of his generation, particularly noted for his symphonic compositions and choral music. -
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Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and bandleader, widely regarded as one of the greatest figures in jazz history. His works, such as It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) and Mood Indigo, are celebrated for their sophisticated harmonies, innovative orchestration, and enduring impact on both jazz and popular music. Ellington's contributions elevated jazz to a respected art form on the global stage. -
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Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland was an American composer, widely known for his distinctively American sound and use of folk themes. His iconic works, such as Appalachian Spring, Fanfare for the Common Man, and Rodeo, are celebrated for their clear, open textures and ability to evoke the American landscape and spirit. -
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Kurt Weill
Kurt Weill was a German composer, known for his diverse style blending classical, jazz, and popular music elements. His works, such as The Threepenny Opera and Mahagonny Songspiel, are celebrated for their innovative use of melody, rhythm, and social commentary. Weill's later works in the United States, including Street Scene, marked his shift toward American musical theater and opera. -
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Harry Partch
Harry Partch was an American composer and instrument maker, known for his innovative approach to tuning and the use of microtonal scales. His works, such as Delusion of the Fury, feature custom-built instruments and explore unique sound worlds beyond traditional Western music. -
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Luois Armstrong
Louis Armstrong was an American trumpeter, vocalist, and composer, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in jazz history. Known for his charismatic stage presence and groundbreaking improvisation, his works, such as What a Wonderful World and West End Blues, helped shape the development of jazz. Armstrong's distinctive voice and virtuosic trumpet playing made him a global icon and a pioneer of modern music. -
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Dmitri Shostakovich
Dmitri Shostakovich was a Russian composer, known for his symphonies and chamber works that reflect the political and social turbulence of Soviet Russia. His music, such as Symphony No. 5 and String Quartet No. 8, combines irony, complexity, and emotional depth, often using coded messages to navigate censorship and political pressure. -
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Olivier Messiaen
Olivier Messiaen was a French composer and organist, known for his innovative use of rhythm, color, and religious themes. His works, such as Turangalîla-Symphonie and Quartet for the End of Time, often incorporate elements of birdsong, non-Western scales, and complex rhythmic patterns, blending mysticism and modernism. -
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Elliott Carter
Elliott Carter was an American composer, known for his complex and innovative approach to rhythm, harmony, and form. His works, such as Concerto for Orchestra and String Quartet No. 2, are celebrated for their intricate textures, polymetric rhythms, and use of counterpoint. Carter's music evolved throughout his career, with later works incorporating more dissonant and modernist elements, making him one of the most influential American composers of the 20th century. Complexity -
1st Suite in Eb- Holst
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Samuel Barber
Samuel Barber was an American composer, known for his emotionally expressive music and lyrical style. His most famous works, including Adagio for Strings, Knoxville: Summer of 1915, and Violin Concerto, are celebrated for their rich melodies and deep emotional resonance. Barber’s music blends classical traditions with modern sensibilities, making him one of the most beloved American composers of the 20th century. -
Firebird Suite- Stravinsky
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John Cage
John Cage was an American composer and avant-garde pioneer, known for his experimental approach to sound and silence. His groundbreaking works, like 4'33", redefined the boundaries of music and influenced contemporary art and performance. -
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Benjamin Britten
Benjamin Britten was an English composer, conductor, and pianist, known for his operas, orchestral works, and choral music. His notable works, such as Peter Grimes, The War Requiem, and The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, are celebrated for their emotional depth, innovative use of harmony, and exploration of social and political themes. -
Rite of Spring- Stravinsky
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Carlos Moseley
Carlos Mosley was a significant figure in the development of military bands in the U.S. Army. He served as a conductor and was instrumental in shaping the structure and performance practices of military music programs, influencing both the organizational and musical aspects of military bands. His leadership helped elevate the importance of music within the Army, contributing to the professionalization of military bands in the mid-20th century. -
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World War I
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Milton Babbit
Milton Babbitt was an American composer and mathematician, known for his development of serialism and his work with electronic music. His compositions, such as Philomel and Three Compositions for Piano, are marked by complex structures, twelve-tone techniques, and mathematical precision, making him a key figure in the avant-garde music movement. -
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Milton Babbitt
Milton Babbitt was an American composer and theorist, known for his work in serialism and electronic music. His compositions, such as Philomel and Three Compositions for Piano, are marked by their use of twelve-tone techniques, complex structures, and mathematical precision. Babbitt was also a prominent educator, advocating for the intellectual rigor of contemporary music and influencing generations of composers. Serialism -
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Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein was an American composer, conductor, and pianist, celebrated for his dynamic conducting and contributions to both classical and musical theater. His works, such as West Side Story, Candide, and Chichester Psalms, are known for their vibrant energy, emotional depth, and blending of classical, jazz, and popular styles. As a conductor, he was a passionate advocate for music education and outreach. Gay and jewish...in this time. -
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Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker, also known as "Bird," was an American saxophonist and composer, a pioneering figure in bebop jazz. Renowned for his virtuosic technique and innovative improvisation, his works, such as Ornithology and Ko-Ko, revolutionized jazz with their complex harmonies and fast tempos. Parker's influence extends across genres, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest jazz musicians in history. -
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Ianni Xenakis
Iannis Xenakis was a Greek-French composer and architect, known for his innovative and avant-garde approach to music. His works, such as Metastasis, Pithoprakta, and Eonta, blend complex mathematical concepts with experimental sound techniques. Xenakis was a pioneer in the use of stochastic processes, electronic music, and graphic notation, influencing modern classical music and contemporary experimental composers. Layers of sound. -
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György Ligeti
György Ligeti was a Hungarian composer known for his avant-garde works and innovative use of texture and micropolyphony. His influential pieces, such as Atmosphères, have significantly shaped modern classical and film music. -
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Pierre Boulez
Pierre Boulez was a French composer and conductor, known for his avant-garde music and pioneering work in serialism and electronic music. His compositions, such as Le Marteau sans maître and Pli selon pli, are characterized by intricate structures, complex textures, and the use of non-traditional instrumental techniques. Boulez was also a leading figure in contemporary music performance and conducting, advocating for the development of modern music in both concert halls and academic setting -
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Morton Feldman
Morton Feldman was an American composer known for his experimental approach to duration, texture, and quiet dynamics. His influential works, such as Rothko Chapel, redefined modern classical music with their focus on stillness and introspection. -
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Karlheinz Stockhausen
Karlheinz Stockhausen was a German composer and a pioneering figure in electronic and avant-garde music. Known for his innovative use of sound and spatialization, his works like Kontakte and Gesang der Jünglinge pushed the boundaries of traditional composition, exploring tape music, electronic synthesis, and unconventional instrumental techniques. -
Hitler seizes power
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Terry Riley
Terry Riley is an American composer and musician, a pioneer of minimalism known for blending jazz, Indian classical music, and innovative techniques like repetition and tape delay. His influential works, including In C in 1964, have shaped modern classical and electronic music. -
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La Monte Young
La Monte Young is an American composer and a pioneering figure in minimalism, known for his exploration of sustained tones and drone-based compositions. His influential works, such as The Well-Tuned Piano, have shaped experimental music and the development of ambient and minimalist traditions. -
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Steve Reich
Steve Reich is an American composer and minimalist pioneer known for his use of repetitive patterns, phasing techniques, and incorporation of speech recordings. His innovative works, such as Music for 18 Musicians, have significantly influenced contemporary classical and electronic music. -
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Phillip Glass
Philip Glass is an American composer and leading figure in minimalism, celebrated for his repetitive structures and harmonic progressions. His influential works, like Einstein on the Beach, have shaped modern opera, film scores, and contemporary classical music. -
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John Corigliano
John Corigliano is an American composer known for his emotionally charged and eclectic style, blending modern classical techniques with elements of jazz and popular music. His works, such as The Red Violin and Symphony No. 1, have earned him widespread acclaim in both concert and film music. -
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World War II
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OMGUS
OMGUS (Office of Military Government, United States) was responsible for post-WWII U.S. occupation in Germany. It helped rebuild German music institutions and promoted the exchange of American and European musical traditions, influencing contemporary music development in Germany. -
Darmstadt Holiday Course
The Darmstadt Summer Courses for New Music, founded in 1946, is a key event for contemporary music. It offers workshops and performances and fosters avant-garde composers. It has significantly shaped modern classical music, promoting figures like Pierre Boulez, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Luciano Berio. -
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John Adams
John Adams is an American composer known for his contributions to minimalism and contemporary classical music. His works, such as Shaker Loops and Nixon in China, blend repetitive structures with emotional depth, influencing both opera and orchestral music. -
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Brian Eno
Brian Eno is an English composer, producer, and pioneer of ambient music, known for his innovative use of sound textures and studio techniques. His influential works, such as Music for Airports, have shaped electronic music, pop, and experimental sound art. -
4'33"- John Cage
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Kontakte- Karlheinz Stockhausen
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Atmospheres- Ligeti
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Rothko Chapel
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Music for Airports
Brian Eno