1. Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) Highly influential French composer and teacher Diverse musical influences, ranging from early music, to Debussy, to the rhythmic procedures of Indian music Studied birdsongs, and incorporated bird calls into much of his music Developed an important concept of musical composition based on the systematization of all aspects of musical material (pitch, rhythm, dynamics, instrumentation)

2. Total Serialism A compositional system developed by Boulez and Stockhausen in the early 1950s as an extension of Schoenberg’s 12-tone technique Total Serialism involves the organization and contrapuntal integration of multiple musical elements: Pitch Rhythm Dynamics Articulation Timbre Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928-2007) Important early works: Klavierstucke Kontakte Gesang der Jünglinge Pierre Boulez (b. 1925) Composer and Conductor Important early works: Structures, Piano Sonata no. 2, Le marteau sans maître

3. The Darmstadt School Term coined by Luigi Nono in the late 1950s to designate the compositional outlook shared by himself, Boulez, Stockhausen, Bruno Maderna, and others School is named after the town in Hesse, Germany (West Germany, at the time) where a series of summer courses were held throughout the 1950s Whether or not they utilized Total Serialism, composers associated with the Darmstadt School valued a rigorously controlled, technically advanced compositional approach, which involved an intensity of expression, and a sense of structural, even scientific exploration Luigi Nono (1924-1990)

4. Music in the USSR Unlike the open and experimental atmosphere enjoyed by artists in the US and Western Europe, in the USSR a strong centralized government imposed strict guidelines and enforced expectations regarding “official” art In music, the regime supported conservative (i.e., traditional) musical techniques and styles. Composers could draw on folk elements and patriotic music, and were encouraged to cultivate an authentically “Russian” style. International elements, and any kind of progressivism or experimentation was viewed with suspicion Joseph Stalin Responsible for approximately 10 million deaths

5. Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) Prolific composer who managed to cultivate a personal style under Soviet rule Tonal, Polystylistic, Neo-Classical, Nationalist Shostakovich’s music often survived by embracing a grandiose, militant ethos – while authorities interpreted this music as celebrating the regime, it was actually criticizing the stultifying machinations of the repressive political context Shostakovich’s slow movements often express a longing and pathos perhaps unsurpassed in 20 th -century music 15 Symphonies 15 String Quartets Operas and Ballet Film Music Sonata for Viola and Piano

6. Galina Ustvolskaya (1919-2006) Studied with Shostakovich at the St. Petersburg Conservatory Later, taught composition at the Conservatory Composed dense, tight, highly expressive music which was not meant for public consumption “ I ask all those who like my music not to analyze it” Shostakovich: “I am convinced that Galina Ustvolskaya will achieve worldwide renown, to be valued by all who perceive truth in music…” And: “It is not you who are influenced my me; rather, it is I who am influenced by you.”