The latter half of the twentieth century was a period of turbulence – both artistically and culturally – and produced a wealth of provocative and often divisive music; much of which we are still coming to terms with, and much which has hugely influenced today’s pop culture and its music.  20C: Shaping the Century Volume II surveys a musical landscape of what are sometimes disparate compositional styles, and makes the repertoire accessible to everyone with an interest in this rich musical heritage.

Decca’s and DG’s exceptionally-balanced survey of the music of twentieth century features one masterpiece from each featured composer, five composers per decade.

Together this presents iconic works by 25 of the most iconic composers of the years 1950-2000.

Each of the CDs includes booklet notes by leading musicologist and writer Nigel Simeone, who also curated the ‘20C’ project, which contextualise the composers and the works, as well as a timeline of 20th-century musical premieres.