Key features

Key Musical Features

• harmonic exploration, moving away from traditional keys
• development of new composition techniques, eg tone row [Tone Row: A series of notes using all 12 notes from the chromatic scale. ] and serial music [Serial Music: A method of composition whereby a composer constructs a series of intervals using, in any order, all 12 notes of the chromatic scale. ]
• a backlash against Romantic ideals, with new focus on sound and timbre [Timbre: The quality of the sound from one instrument that allows it to be distinguished from others. ] rather than melody
• improved communications brought much bigger (ultimately worldwide) audiences, and introduced composers to a wider variety of musical styles
• composers drew on 'popular' influences such as ragtime, blues, jazz, folk music and popular dance styles
• new techniques in recording, instrument making and amplification lead to new ways of music-making

Important composers

• Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
• Arnold Schöenberg (1874-1951)
• Benjamin Britten ((1913-1976
• Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
• Bela Bartok (1881-1945)
• Oliver Messian (1908-1992)