The Post Classical Piano Repository

ShiroKuro

Thanks for the reminder about Gjeilo, I thought I had something by him on my list of pieces to play next, but I don't see it. I'll have to google around and see what pieces by him I know. (Edited to add: the reason I couldn’t find it in my notes was because I was speeding it wrong! I’ve had Madison on my list to play for a long time! 😅

I added your post about Frahm to the list above 🙂

This thread is making me wonder if I should create a Spotify playlist or something, with pieces by each of the composers listed here.

This morning I started listening to the complete etudes by Glass (video linked above), I think the whole set is over two hours long, and I've only listened to about 40 minutes so far, but it's very interesting. So I prefer the ones that are less frantic and that have more interesting bass lines... Unfortunately, I was listening while doing some chores, so I wasn't tkaing note of the names/numbers of the ones I liked.

TulipAcid

ShiroKuro

I listed to the book 2 video skipping about a bit and the following look not too frantic for me:

F minor V
A minor VII
C major VIIIj
G minor XVI
G minor XVIII (of the slow ones this sounds most Glassian)
C major XX

KevinM

Thanks so much for all this @ShiroKuro So very appreciated.

ShiroKuro

TulipAcid it's helpful to see your list. I'll try to figure out which of the Etudes I really liked....

KevinM

ShiroKuro I find it interesting that Glass can be considered classical.

I don't know a lot of pieces by Glass, but from what I have heard I think Ffrench is at least part of the classical world as Glass is and same goes for post classical.

ShiroKuro

KevinM I find it interesting that Glass can be considered classical.

Long ago I noticed (especially in posts on Piano World) that Philip Glass got respect from classical pianists and students, while composers like Einaudi did not. And I heard similar things from piano teachers over the years. So I've been paying attention to that difference for years. For example, I've seen Glass's pieces included in lists of allowed repertoire for grade examinations and so on. I think now Einaudi is sometimes included and of course Ffrench shows up, but these are much more recent developments. Also, at the music library at my uni (which has one of the most well-known music schools in the US), there are tons of Glass scorebooks and other resources about Glass, but basically none for these other composers, and the library's collection doesn't include any scores by Einaudi or Ffrench. So to me that's another indication.

But anyway, your comment here made me wonder if I was "off" in my assessment, so I just googled "is Philip Glass classical" and clearly this is a thing that has been discussed a great deal, but as far as I can tell, people generally agree that Glass fits under the classical umbrella, and minimalism is considered a genre within that.

KevinM I don't know a lot of pieces by Glass, but from what I have heard I think Ffrench is at least part of the classical world as Glass is and same goes for post classical.

I have the impression that Ffrench is very involved in the classical world in the UK, and the respect he gets is different as a result. And Einaudi is so popular in Europe, I think that contributes to the greater acceptance of him in Europe compared to in the US, where for a long time his music (and those who like it) were basically ridiculed. The same goes for Japan, I think people have such respect for Sakamoto and Hisaishi, that it contributes to a greater flexibility and openness toward an expansive definition of classical rather than an exclusive definition. I think heretofore, the US approach in the classical world has been more exclusive than expansive. But again, I think (or maybe just hope) this is changing.

rsl12

To put in my two cents, I think Glass (or at least early Glass) is correctly lumped together with composers like John Adams and Steve Reich as a classical composer within the minimalist movement. I like to define genres based on the audience's expectations, and I can't imagine an Einaudi concert being thrilled to have Koyaanisqatsi or Einstein on the Beach being played (or vice versa for a Glass concert).

In more recent years, Glass has been commissioned to do more mainstream film scores, which are more accessible works. So to me, some of his music is enjoyed by post classical listeners, but his main body of work (and I believe his heart) still belongs to classical. But of course that's very open to debate!

As an aside, the same question can be posed of John Williams. Have you heard what he composes when he's not being commissioned for a film? It's very interesting!

ShiroKuro

rsl12 audience's expectations

I think this is a helpful way to think about it!

rsl12 In more recent years, Glass has been commissioned to do more mainstream film scores, which are more accessible works.

I know he did the music for the Hours, which I think is mostly (completely?) solo piano? Are there other films scores of his you recommend?

rsl12 John Williams. Have you heard what he composes when he's not being commissioned for a film? It's very interesting!

I don't think I have. I don't generally listen to orchestral works, but let me know if you have have a recommendation.

rsl12

ShiroKuro Are there other films scores of his you recommend?

That's the stuff I'm kind of "meh" about. You'll have to ask someone else.. I like the non-film score stuff (koyaanisqatsi trilogy being the exception).

ShiroKuro I don't generally listen to orchestral works, but let me know if you have have a recommendation.

https://forum.pianotell.com/d/1976-john-williams-wrote-his-first-piano-concerto-at-age-93

ShiroKuro

rsl12 Ah yes, I notice that I wrote "I'll have to listen later" and later has not come yet 😅

ShiroKuro

Ok, round two of the “placeholder” posts and “coming soon” composers are all completed. You can see the full list in the top post: https://forum.pianotell.com/d/2489-the-post-classical-piano-repository

But the thread is still a work in progress! I’m sure there are many composers missing, so if anyone has any recommendations for composers who compose post classical piano music, please let me know.

If you would like to make a standalone post and have me link it in the main list in the top post, please follow this format to the extent possible. When you’re finished, tag me or send me a PM and I will add a link to your post in the top post.

TEMPLATE

Composer name (link to composer’s website). Add your own comments about the composer’s background, noted works. (No need to Google or use AI, information that you’re already familiar with is sufficient. Feel free to add your own commentary)

Difficulty: add your own comments about the difficulty level. If you’re not sure, leave this section out.

Videos of one or two noted works. Where possible, try to choose a video performed by the composer; please select solo piano or piano-centric work.

Score books if relevant (if their music is primarily sold as individual digital scores, this section isn’t needed, but if they have some score book collections that you would like to recommend, please do)

ShiroKuro

Sorry, one more thing: if you would like to add a post about a composer already in this list, please do and I can add that link to the top post (so some composers will have more than one link under their name). Other threads on this site can also be linked.

For example, if it’s ok with @KevinM , I’m going to link to his thread about Ffernch’s simplest piece.

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