2009 Pulitzer Prize for Music

Let us not forget that the works chosen by the Pulitzer committee have to be from that particular year... so even if some other composer wrote a piece you think is more "worthy" in preceding years, it wouldn't be eligible.

That's not the point Qc. If a this is the best that came out of thousands of composers in an entire year, then why isn't there something of higher quality? If there isn't one, then Classical Music, as we know it, is flowing down the toilet (for lack of a better example).

That's not the point Qc. If a this is the best that came out of thousands of composers in an entire year, then why isn't there something of higher quality? If there isn't one, then Classical Music, as we know it, is flowing down the toilet (for lack of a better example).

You do know people actually have to submit their work in. Maybe they didn't. Go get a list of finalist and make a comparison. Right now it just seems like you are talking out of emotion.

That's not the point Qc. If a this is the best that came out of thousands of composers in an entire year, then why isn't there something of higher quality? If there isn't one, then Classical Music, as we know it, is flowing down the toilet (for lack of a better example).

Well, considering Elliot Carter won the prize in 1960 for his String Quartet No. 2 and AGAIN in 1973 for his String Quartet No 3, I'd say "classical" music is slowly regaining ground once again. :whistling:

Hey, Elliot Carter's string quartet's are actually pretty nice. Many of his other works, though, you should watch out for.

Still, I think the Pulitzer Prize for Music committee is about as trustworthy as the people who decide the nobel Prize for Literature winners. Meaning, not very. I'm surprised they actually made a decent decision.

Alright, just for those of you that were wondering, the other nominees were Don Byron's "Seven Etudes for Solo Piano," and Harold Meltzer's "Brion."

And keep in mind that the winner must be American and the piece must have been premiered in the past year.

So those of of you suggesting Reich didn't deserve it, who do you think did?

brion (the link is at the bottom of the page, not the youtube video)

Ok, so this is definitely the "academic," modernist piece. It's pretty ballin, though. I'm not sure if it's better, simply because I personally like the style so much better. However, there is something to be said for tons of contrasting parts, as opposed to simple overlay. I just prefer the tone of this piece... I remember there was something really "off" about the Reich piece. (Maybe it was that they were playing to a tape of themselves instead of using the 12-musician format?)

There are a few poorly set up entrances...

Don Byron is primarily a jazz musician. That's enough to take him out of the running. Don't believe me? The only jazz musician to have won had to break the rules to win.... And it was a Marsalis, and I've spoken out against what they've done to jazz here in New Orleans...

But his piece is very hard to find a recording of -- I don't think one exists. (lame) However, he's a part of the New York scene (maybe), so I'd guessing something akin to Zorn or Ribot...