Although he died at an early age, Gershwin created a body of work that was not merely extensive, but also enduring. His music is still frequently performed more than 50 years after his death. Gershwin absorbed all the musical developments coming from the jazz world, so it is not surprising that his w

20th-century music, Charming, Epic, Overflowing

Born in 1925 in Montbrison, France, Pierre Boulez attended university to study mathematics -- a subject that proved crucial to the theories that would serve as the foundation for his music. In 1943, he left math for his new calling, studying with Messiaen at the Paris Conservatoire until 1945. He pre

20th-century music, Dense, Layered, Saturated

Stephen Sondheim earned his musical stripes alongside the best in the business: his first foray into creating a musical was as lyricist to Leonard Bernstein's composer for "West Side Story" (1957). After a second lyrical outing with Jules Styne's music for "Gypsy" (1959), Sondheim was ready to brave

20th-century music, Bubblicious, Grand, New american musical, Rhythmic, Witty

No composer made more of an effort to immortalize the epic quality of America than Aaron Copland. Though he studied music under conservative German and French teachers in his youth, Copland was constantly tempted to experiment with innovative, contemporary musical styles. Born during the first year o

20th-century music, Epic, Expansive, Grand, Pioneering