Contemporary Classical

This seemingly evasive conceit reflects a decidedly nuanced approach to the storied, well-trodden path that is Opera -- openly acknowledging more recent "experimental" precedents even while turning further back in operatic history for creative inspiration.

Composer and pianist Timothy Andres's take on the subject of demigods in art is far removed from conventional Romanticism: "We like to imagine that our artists have this kind of divine inspiration. I think if they say they do, they're probably having you on," says Andres.

There is no doubt that cellist Maya Beiser is a dynamic performer. But her command is not limited to conventional concert stages.

I spoke with composer Du Yun, a founding member of the International Contemporary Ensemble who will present her work Vicissitudes Alone for guitar and electronics.

I spoke with composer Oscar Bettison about his 65-minute opus O Death, excerpts of which will be performed on Wednesday as part of the SONiC Festival in New York.

The creative minds behind what is known as "contemporary classical music" are innumerable, and gaining perspective can be an overwhelming task for audiences.

"This piece is different from the other pieces I wrote, a lot of them, because this is a very different aesthetic. This music about playing very few notes, but to really emphasize the subtlety between notes other than the orchestra piece maybe you heard."

On March 9 at 7:30 p.m. in New York City's Merkin Hall, Ecstatic Music Festival all-star Nadia Sirota joins two indie songwriters -- pianist Thomas Ba...

The Ecstatic Music Festival is now entering the home stretch. And while the festival hinges on the creation and performance of new works conceived wi...

Note: Because the Ecstatic Music Festival is in large part meant to highlight brand new works that are born from collaboration between artists, for th...

Two members of the contemporary music band Alarm Will Sound discuss the group's upcoming concert and the importance of composer Steve Reich.

In a recent phone conversation, Jefferson Friedman and I discussed "record" versus "song cycle," composing on roofs, and New York's "Winter of Love."

With a staggering number of composers, singer-songwriters, and performers contributing their talents to the Ecstatic Music Festival in New York City-...