Page 341 - (DK) The Classical Music Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained

DIRECTORY 339

widely seen as his most successful work. updated to the urban world of the 21st His vocal works, which constitute a
A Modernist in style, Reimann is also century. Inspired by composers such as large proportion of his output, have
influenced by Indian music. Janá cˇ ek and Stravinsky, Weir draws on included Cantos Sagrados (1990), a
the folk traditions not only of her native setting of poems by the Latin American
Scotland and Europe but also of South writers Ariel Dorfman and Ana Maria
JOHN TAVENER Asia. Weir’s work pays particular Mendosa; the cantata Quickening (1998);
1944–2013 attention to narrative; King Harald’s two operas; and settings of liturgical
Saga (1979), for solo soprano, is a texts and the Catholic Mass.
With influences including Stravinsky medieval historical drama compressed
and Messiaen, John Tavener found fame into less than 15 minutes. Meanwhile,
in 1970 when his cantata, The Whale— her instrumental works include her MARK-ANTHONY TURNAGE
based on the biblical tale of Jonah—was 15-minute Piano Concerto (1997), 1960–
released by the Apple record label. The another gem of distillation, and
London-born Tavener’s conversion to The Welcome Arrival of Rain (2001). In British composer Mark-Anthony
Russian Orthodox Christianity in 1977 2014, Weir was appointed Master of the Turnage’s first opera, Greek, is based on
was the fruit of a long-standing spiritual Queen’s Music in succession to Sir Peter a version of Sophocles’s tragedy Oedipus
quest that gave rise to richly mystical Maxwell Davies. Rex, set in London’s East End. The opera
pieces, including Ikon of Light (1984), was an instant success when premiered
The Protecting Veil (1989), and Song for at the Munich Biennale in 1988. Drawing
Athene (1993). In 2003, he wrote The MAGNUS LINDBERG on jazz and rock as well as the classical
Veil of the Temple: a huge choral work 1958– tradition, Turnage’s music is streetwise,
intended to last all night in an Orthodox expressionistic, and often humorous. His
vigil service and regarded by Tavener as The orchestra is the Finnish composer stage works have included two further
his “supreme achievement.” Magnus Lindberg’s first love, and he has operas—The Silver Tassie (2000) and
established himself as one of the world’s Anna Nicole (2011)—and the ballets
most popular composers of ambitious UNDANCE (2011), Trespass (2012), and
JOHN ADAMS orchestral pieces. His beginnings were Strapless (2016). Among his instrumental
1947– avant-garde, as seen in works such as works are Three Screaming Popes
Action–Situation–Signification (1982) (1989), inspired by paintings by the
Younger than his fellow minimalists, and Kraft (Power; 1985). Later his music artist Francis Bacon; the trumpet
Steve Reich and Philip Glass, the New became more eclectic, drawing on concerto From the Wreckage (2005),
England–born Adams made his name classical tradition (including the works written for Swedish trumpeter Håkan
with pieces such as Shaker Loops (1978) of his Finnish predecessor, Sibelius) Hardenberger; and a violin concerto,
and Grand Pianola Music (1982). His and with richer melodies and color. His Mambo, Blues, and Tarantella (2008).
music is often humorous, referencing major pieces from the 1990s were Aura
popular culture. Adams is arguably more (1994) and Arena (1995), and his works
concerned than most minimalists with since 2000 have included concertos for GEORGE BENJAMIN
harmony and progression. This can be clarinet (2002) and violin (2006), as well 1960–
seen in his Harmonielehre (1985), a as his first vocal work for a soloist,
three-movement orchestral work, and his Accused; three interrogations for One of the elderly Messiaen’s last and
first opera, Nixon in China (1987), inspired soprano and orchestra (2014). best loved students, Benjamin is unusual
by President Richard Nixon’s 1972 visit. among British composers for his affinity
In addition to two more operas, his later with French avant-garde music. His
works have included concertos for violin JAMES MACMILLAN output has been remarkable for its
(1993), clarinet (1996), and piano (1997) 1959– combination of precision with color and
and Scheherazade.2 (2014), a “dramatic sensuousness. His breakthrough came at
symphony” for violin and orchestra. Catholic spirituality, progressive politics, the age of 20, when his orchestral piece,
and Scottish folk tradition have been Ringed by the Flat Horizon, premiered at
inspirations for the Scottish Modernist the BBC Proms in 1980. His works since
JUDITH WEIR James MacMillan. His first big success then have included At First Light (1982)
1954– was with an orchestral work, The for chamber orchestra; Upon Silence
Confession of Isobel Gowdie, which (1990) for soprano and string ensemble,
Born in England to Scottish parents, was first performed at the BBC Proms and Palimpsests (2002) for full orchestra.
Weir is known above all for her operas— in 1990. Two years later, he wrote Veni, He has also written three operas with
from her high-spirited debut work, A Veni, Emmanuel—a concerto for the playwright Martin Crimp: Into the
Night at the Chinese Opera (1987), to percussion and orchestra—for the great Little Hill (2006), Written on Skin (2012),
Miss Fortune (2011), a Sicilian folktale Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie. and Lessons in Love and Violence (2018).

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