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11.16: Introduction to Aleatoric, Electronic, and Minimalist Music

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    In this section, we will look into some of the more significant musical trends of the second half of the 20th century. Aleatoric music incorporates random chance or performer choice into the composition. No performance of an aleatoric piece will be the same due to that indeterminate element. Electronic music is something we take for granted in the pop world today, but there were some interesting experiments in the art music arena with early electronic recording and sound generation technologies. Minimalism is the most recent musical approach to gain prominence. It generally involves a return to a simpler, tonal style and an emphasis on repeated patterns.

    This section includes the following pages:

    • Gyorgy Ligeti
    • Micropolyphony
    • Lux Aeterna
    • John Cage
    • Prepared Piano
    • Aleatoric Music
    • Sonatas and Interludes
    • Electronic Music
    • Musique Concrete
    • Edgard Varese
    • Poeme Electronique
    • Minimalist Music
    • John Adams
    • Short Ride in a Fast Machine
    • Holy Minimalism
    • Avro Pärt
    • Magnificat

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