I love new books (and old ones, too.) I love new movies (old, too.) I love new paintings, sculpture, television (creative, not reality,) and I love the classics, too.
The same is true for classical music. I love new concert music. (Appomattox, an opera by Philip Glass, premiered last week in San Francisco. Wish I could have gone.) Unfortunately, it takes a while for a professional recording of new classical to find its way to the market. Pretty much the only way to hear it is to go see a performance. Unless you're in a big city, good luck.
The two videos presented here are parts 1 & 2 of the Pennyroyal Swale (1985) by composer Beth Anderson. This work is available on CD and iTunes. It was released on CD in 2004. It is not intended to be a two-parter, but rather a ten minute single movement for string quartet.
Anderson says that a swale is a meadow that supports varied plant life. Her musical swales are intended to emulate that by tossing aside traditional form and quilting together her own varied compositions. Despite this sounding like folk music, it is all from the creative mind of Anderson.
The videos are a set of images of Kentucky. If I were forced to pick a place to live that I would never be allowed to leave, the hills of western Kentucky would be the place (and not because we could raise alpacas there.) These photographs are the perfect accompaniment to Anderson's melodies.
My mother's family is from Kentucky (as is the composer.) This music evokes the feel of the area without sounding cliched or homespun. It takes me back to summers at my grandparents.
If I could change anything about contemporary classical, it would be having it reach a wider audience, to be given a chance to find listeners. This isn't ambient new age or laid back smooth jazz. This is music that appeals both emotionally and intellectually. It is immensely satisfying.
Listen and let me know what you think in the comments. If there are other recent compositions that you like, tell me about them.
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