Neoromanticism arose as a reaction to the austerity of serialism and conceptualism. Composers again allowed themselves tonal centres, broad melodies, open emotion, and a bond with the listener — but now armed with the experience of the whole 20th century.
In various forms this turn was embodied by the American George Rochberg and the late Krzysztof Penderecki, who returned to broad Romantic melody. Kindred to it are the “new simplicity” and spiritual minimalism of Arvo Pärt. In Ukraine, a deeply personal, contemplative version of neoromanticism is represented by Valentyn Silvestrov with his “metamusic” and “quiet songs.”
