Oliver Knussen (1952-Present)

Introduction
Knussen was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1952. He began composing at the age of six. His father was principal double bass of the London Symphony Orchestra.

Work Analysis
I chose to analyze Knussen's Symphony No. 3. This piece is written in three movements. The first movement is significantly shorter than the other two. Knussen uses chromatic runs and extremely dissonant harmonies that create a tension in the listener. He then resolves sometimes to diatonicism, but only for a brief moment. His use of chromaticism give the piece an energy and fury like an angry bird.

Comparisons
It reminds me of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. I can almost hear birds chirping and all singing out of key. It sounds like there is a sense of anger with the percussion as well with it's crescendo dynamics as it builds up at, what seem to be, random points in the piece. There are a lot of things happening melodically like Stravinsky's Rite of S​​​​​​​pring.

Observations
I enjoyed the piece overall. I just wish that there was less about and inside the piece to make it easier for me to understand. The way that Knussen grouped which instruments to play at certain times was interesting to me as he creates tensions and resolutions.