Is there such a thing as "post-modernist" music?

Hello.

We all no what Modernism means in music - which is typically atonality, minimalism, applied harmonies, or other items that were created as a reaction to Romanticism.

Now, what I want to know is if there is such a thing as Post-Modernism in terms of music, as in, a reaction to Modernism.

Kind of like Post-Modernism in Art, which is, for example, a blend between "Pop Culture" and "High Art" on one hand, and absurdist Modernism taken to the ninth degree on the other.

Because post-modern has such a hotly debated definition, what do you concider to be post modern?

I like to think of my music as Post-Modern, because I am appalled by the way the academic circles have embraced atonality and have almost totally shunned anything vaguely resembling an easily discernable melody - or, at least in my neck of the woods.

I write my music because I have the intention of having other people listen to and enjoy my music. Therefore, I see myself as a Populist, which is another aspect of Post-Modernism.

Would present-day movie scores such as those by Media Ventures be considered as post modern? Tthey all contain Romantic throwbacks yet more modern touches such as synthesizers and minimalism. That's just an example.

Its strange how music is unlike the other arts in the way its eras are divided. For example, the term "neoclassical" means a completely different thing for painters and musicians.

But anyway, what do you concider to be "Post-Modern" music?

As far as I know, Stravinsky is Modern.

George Crumb is Post-Modern.

anything after the 1950's or to say 1960/70's is post-modern

1912-193... is Modern. THe line is a blurry one.

I must say:

I like how modernists think outside the box. But I hate how they get it on paper. I think if I, or we, for that matter, can acheive a more tonally controlled version of this abstract thinking...music would be at it's peak.

Col legno and Mozart? wha?

GOod idea nico. I have wondered of doing the same thing, apply 20th century techniques around 18th century harmony.

Yep, very blurry line between the periods and style. I don't care much for the atonal modern stuff, but I do like the idea of what they are doing (trying to make "new" music). The only modern piece I like is Ives' Unanswered Question, but even in that the winds get really annoying by their last two "answers" to the trumpet. Overall an amazing piece though, and I understand why he did what he did with the winds.

But.... Post-modern? I'm not sure what that is to be exact.

Nico
Based on your reply, I think you might be interested in a thread I started a long time ago which didn't get much notice, but which I think is an amazingly important and interesting question.

http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/index....owtopic=316&hl=

Yes, there is such a thing as "post-modernist" music. It's called Post-Modernism.

Minimalism is an example of a post-modernist style. Essentially, post-modernism moves away from modernism (i.e. Serialism, atonality etc.) and is more tonal. Film music may also be considered partially post-modern.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-modern_Classicism

heyyyyyyyy... So I'm researching an essay on Cold War Music Politics and found this source:

Wolin, Richard. "Modernism vs Postmodernism" Telos 62 (1984-5), 9-29

It's a journal article that discusses the differences. So I suppose that this answers the thread's question!