21st century compositions?

[wilmerguido]

i need a piece for a competition... I'd like something that has a good tone/melody/lyrical passages and as well as a difficult cadenza...Any suggestions? I have no idea about 21st century piano compositions... I didn't even know they existed

[pianist1976]

Some renowned composers who are writing music these days: Elliott Carter (by the way, happy birthday, Elliott, in december 11 you'll be 102 y.o.), Milton Babbit (almost centenarian), Phillip Glass and Tan Dun. I not completely sure but I guess that some great composers who passed away recently such as Ligeti, Stokausen and Xenakis it's probably that they wrote something in the XXI century. Boulez is still alive but according my information, he didn't write anything new for the piano since more than 50 years ago.

[wilmerguido]

Do you have a specific piece in mind?

[kevinr]

John Adams "American Berserk" was composed in 2001.

It doesn't really fit the "lyrical" requirement though.

[wilmerguido]

Uhh... i don't think that piece is going to motivate me to practice since it's too atonal for my taste, but thanks for the suggestion anyway If I don't find anything I might end up playing Yiruma  Which.. isn't exactly good enough for competitions

[kevinr]

Musical Portrait of Chuck Close    Phillip Glass  (2005)

https://www.chesternovello.com/Default.aspx?TabId=2432&State_3041=2&workId_3041=34883#

[kevinr]

Some pieces by Elliot Carter, though they are quite atonal and may not suit:

Matribute (2007)

Catenaire (2005):

Retrouvailles (2000)

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[retrouvailles]

Uhh... i don't think that piece is going to motivate me to practice since it's too atonal for my taste, but thanks for the suggestion anyway

How is American Berserk "too atonal" if most of the chords in the piece are tonal triads? It's as tonal as Nancarrow, which is quite tonal.

[wilmerguido]

Yeah... sorry about that.. I listened to it again, and you're right... but then... It just goes on and on and on, and it gets quite boring after awhile

[lostinidlewonder]

I like Australian composer Elena Kats Chernin, one example from her is "Page Turn" which was commissioned for the Sydney 2000 international piano competition, it is a delightful virtuosic piece with exciting use of ostinato.

Score preview:
https://www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/product/page-turn-for-solo-piano

[richard black]

Having just bought a copy of the Hamelin Etudes, it appears some of those date from this century. They're certainly showy enough for any competition!

[retrouvailles]

It just goes on and on and on, and it gets quite boring after awhile

I'll give that to you. It really is the weakest of any piano piece by John Adams. I would say to look at his China Gates, but that work is too old.

Having just bought a copy of the Hamelin Etudes, it appears some of those date from this century. They're certainly showy enough for any competition!

Great suggestion. Look at the Etude after Tchaikovsky or Etude after Goethe.

[wilmerguido]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll definitely look into those Hamelin etudes.

I like Australian composer Elena Kats Chernin, one example from her is "Page Turn" which was commissioned for the Sydney 2000 international piano competition, it is a delightful virtuosic piece with exciting use of ostinato.

Score preview:
https://www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/product/page-turn-for-solo-piano

Do you have a recording of that piece? I can't seem to find one in youtube

[lostinidlewonder]

There is only one recording I know of and that is from highlights of the 2000 Sydney International. I don't support ripping off CD's so I can't share it with you sorry.
https://www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/workversion/kats-chernin-elena-page-turn/11292

You maybe able to listen to the CD at your state library or even get them to order in the score for loan. Youtube isn't really good for 21st century piano research.