Musique 21 is the College of Music's contemporary music ensemble. The group focuses on music from the 21st century by modern day classical composers.
Kevin Noe, the director of Musique 21, professor of conducting and director of orchestras, said many people have not heard classical composers past the death of Beethoven, and as a result do not know what classical music in 2011 sounds like.
"It's quite unlike your momma's Mozart," Noe said.
The group held a concert on Nov. 29, which was composed of 21 short movements of music. The centerpiece of the show was Ligeti's "Musica Ricercata," a difficult piano piece which was played by Conor Hanick, the pianist for the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble. Between each movement, Noe inserted other small compositions. Of those compositions were five world premieres from Ricio Fruge, Ricardo Lorenz, Kieren MacMillan, Diego Rivera and Phillip Sink.
"They weren't just written as any old piece," said Noe. "They were written to go in that exact slot for this concert, and that creates a level of cohesion that I think you may have ever seen in a performance."
Noe believes Musique 21 is special because it presents music that is created and performed by people living now. This modernity allows for a greater connection with the musi, unlike older classical composers such as Mozart.
"What we are doing here is as cohesive as you will ever see a music concert be. It is theatrical. It is taut, and the music comes through and comes to the forefront," Noe said.