Too many people think that classical music is a thing of the past,
whereas excellent classical music is still being composed today. For
this blog post, the second in the series, I have selected another dozen concertos composed in the 21st
century, by twelve different composers (and for nine different
instruments). These are all works I love listening to, and all the
depicted CD's are in my collection. The picture above depicts a marimba,
one of the concertante instruments featured in today's post. The image
above is in the
public domain.
Viola Concerto "On Opened Ground" by Mark Anthony Turnage (2001)
The viola concerto "On Opened Ground", a work in two movements, is a jazz-influenced composition by the English composer Mark Anthony Turnage. It is probably my favourite of the many concertos he composed, demonstrating the still underused potential of this instrument in concertos. The recording shown above is by Lawrence Power and the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Markus Stenz, on an LPO CD.
Percussion Concerto "Rapture" by Michael Torke (2001)
Rapture is a concerto for percussion by American composer Michael Torke. There are three movements, reflecting the types of percussion the soloist plays: Drums and Woods, Mallets, and Metals. The recording shown above is by Colin Currie and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under Marin Alsop, on a Naxos CD.
Contrabassoon Concerto by Kalevi Aho (2005)
After the days of Vivaldi, bassoon concertos are unusual, let alone concertos for contrabassoon and orchestra, like this one from Finnish composer Kalevi Aho. The version shown above is by Lewis Lipnick and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Andrew Litton on a BIS CD.
Accordion Concerto "Spiriti" by Jukka Tiensuu (2005)
Spiriti is an accordion concerto by Finnish composer Jukka Tiensuu. Another instrument that is not used enough in concertos. The version shown above is by Mikko Luoma and the Avanti Chamber Orchestra under Susanna Mälkki on an Alba CD.
Marimba Concerto No. 4 "In memory of things transient" by Anders Koppel (2006)
"In memory of things transient" is one of four marimba concertos by Danish composer Anders Koppel. it
is the most varied, adding an organ into the mix in an engaging
eight-movement work occasioned by the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s
birth and including quotes from Mozart, Balkan folk music and an old pop
tune of Koppel’s. The version shown above is by Marianna Bednarska and the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Henrik Vagn Christensen on a DaCapo CD.
Violin Concerto No. 1 by Jörg Widmann (2007)
This
Violin concerto is by German composer, conductor and clarinetist Jörg
Widmann. one of the most performed contemporary composer in the world
(from Wiki). It is an outstanding piece, one of the better ones of this
century to my taste. The recording shown above is by Christian Tetzlaff
and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra under Daniel Harding on an
Ondine CD.
Viola Concerto by Emil Tabakov (2007)
Another outstanding Viola Concerto, this one is by Bulgarian composer Emil Tabakov. The recording shown above is by Alexander Zemtsov and the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra under the composer on a Toccata Classics CD.
Violin Concerto "And Then There Was Silence" by Christopher Wright (2010)
"And then there was silence..." is the title of the Violin Concerto by British composer Christopher Wright, somewhat old fashioned but beautiful. It was written in memory of his wife. The recording shown above is by Fenella Humphreys and the Bournemouth Symphony Orhcestra under Martin Yates on a Dutton Epoch CD, with tenor Christopher Watson making a surprise and effective appearance in the work's final movement.
Piano Concerto "The Solway Canal" by Gavin Bryars (2010)
The Solway Canal is a Piano Concerto (including a choir) by British composer Gavin Bryars, who is probably best known for Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet. The recording shown above is by Ralph van Raat, Cappella Amsterdam and Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic under Otto Tausk on a Naxos CD.
Knifonium Concerto "Ambrosian Delights" by Olli Virtaperko (2015)
Ambrosian Delights (is a concerto for knifonium and chamber orchestra. For... what? Glad you asked. The knifonium is a vacuum-tube-based analogue synthesizer, designed by Jonte Knif, who also plays the beast in this concerto. I really enjoy the sound of this instrument, and Virtaperko combines it well with the chamber orchestra. Funny sounds, yes, but also a fun listening experience. Highly original. The recording shown above is by Jonte Knif with the Jyväskylä Sinfonia under Ville Matvejeff on an Ondine CD.
Violin Concerto "The Seamstress" by Anna Clyne (2015)
The Seamstress is an unorthodox Violin Concerto by promising British composer Anna Clyne. It features voice and electronics in addition to the usual instrumentation. The recording shown above is by Jennifer Koh and the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Sakari Oramo on an Avie Records CD.
Oboe Concerto by Pēteris Vasks (2018)
Saving the best for last - my favourite 21st century concerto so far. This Oboe Concerto is by Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks, and it is the best concerto for this wonderful instrument I know. The recording shown above is by Albrecht Mayer and the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra under Andris Poga on an Ondine CD.
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