The Modern Period: 1900-today
Joplin (1868-1917)
Scott Joplin was born in Texas and is considered to be the most influential ragtime composer.
Joplin worked as a traveling musician and by the time he was in his 30's, royalties from some of his compositions helped him start his Opera Company. Unfortunately he never got his major work Treemonisha performed in full during his lifetime, but in 1976 it received a posthumous Pulitzer Prize.
Joplin's most famous works include The Entertainer and the Maple Leaf Rag.
Gershwin (1898-1937)
George Gershwin was born in New York City, and he spent his life in the United States.
His first break was as a rehearsal pianist on Broadway. His first musical comedy La La Lucille was a success and after that he continued to write many successful musicals including Rhapsody in Blue, and Porgy and Bess which was written about Southern African American culture.
Gershwin died at the young age of 39, but his music made him one of the most important composers of the twentieth century.
The music of the modern era is characterized by constant change and the influence of technology.