Classical music is still very much a vital, energized, important musical force, especially in the area of chamber music. There are thousands of fine classical composers working throughout the world, producing music that reflects and comments on their times, often through combinations of words and music. Quite often, (and almost necessarily), they use words with much more precision than you might in everyday conversation. Much of this music with text is quite wonderful – and some of it is very funny. Here’s two gems from American composer Lawrence Dillon:

andBut then again, you don’t always need specific words – sometimes they just become a burst of energy, or part of a pattern of sound. Here’s an example from Nico Muhly:

and another from Paul Lansky:

Words still matter, and classical music still matters. The combination of the two still matters.

By the way, the oldest of these pieces is from 1992.

More about why classical music still matters in future postings.