Composers whose music became less complex when they aged?

[Lat-Literal]

Interested in learning about composers whose work was pared down and/or simplified in their older age not without critical acclaim.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Webern and Stravinsky both "pared down" their Music from its earlier manifestations - and both got more "complex" as a result. Not sure if this helps start off a discussion, Lats?

[richardfinegold]

Bela Bartok
His Concerto For Orchestra and Third Piano Concerto, which are his last completed works, show a pruning down of his more experimental tehniques

[ahinton]

Bela Bartok
His Concerto For Orchestra and Third Piano Concerto, which are his last completed works, show a pruning down of his more experimental tehniques

As arguably does his viola concerto.

Sorabji was another composer who could be said to have done this, although in his case it is worth bearing in mind from what such "pruning down" was made(!); the principal feature of what can be called his "later style and manner" - i.e. from when he resumed compsition in 1972 at the age of 80, after failing to maintain his resolve not to write any more music a few years earlier - is a paring down of the complex multi-layered textures that characterise some of his earlier music, though in no sense is there any sense of compromise.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Bela Bartok
His Concerto For Orchestra and Third Piano Concerto, which are his last completed works, show a pruning down of his more experimental tehniques

As arguably does his Viola Concerto

But not, perhaps, his Sixth String Quartet or his Sonata for Solo Violin?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Webern and Stravinsky both "pared down" their Music from its earlier manifestations - and both got more "complex" as a result.

This could also be said of Shostakovich and Britten, too.

And Lutyens.

[Petrushka]

The first composer who came into my mind when I saw the thread title was Penderecki. True, he made, I think, a conscious decision to change course though I understand that it is actually his earlier complex works that have received more acclaim.

Peter Maxwell Davies as well perhaps?

[Lat-Literal]

Webern and Stravinsky both "pared down" their Music from its earlier manifestations - and both got more "complex" as a result. Not sure if this helps start off a discussion, Lats?

Yes.

I welcome the thread being taken in whichever direction people think appropriate.

That includes challenging any implied assumptions.

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Elgar
Rutter
Strauss
Part
Walton
Shostakovich

I agree about PMD.

[Lat-Literal]

Elgar
Rutter
Strauss
Part
Walton
Shostakovich

I agree about PMD.

Thanks Eine.

I wonder...are there reasons? Disenchantment with earlier direction, adapting to the times, just wanting a change, a flash of inspiration, waning health placing limits on the grand design, a desire to write something that expresses feelings in older age, not that the question implies all had long lives? On paper, it could be any one of these and other things.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Part and Penderecki were both in their forties when they adopted a "more traditional"/"less avant-garde" style of writing. Not quite what I understood "older age" to mean from the OP (although, of course, there is no denying that they were "older"! )

So, to add another composer whose work became pared down and more complex in his forties -

Beethoven.

[ahinton]

But not, perhaps, his Sixth String Quartet or his Sonata for Solo Violin?

No, indeed! - so not so simple an answer there, any more than in the case of Sorabji, who, whilst being poles apart from much of what Bartók was about, always made a point of respecting his integrity as a composer...

[ahinton]

Part and Penderecki were both in their forties when they adopted a "more traditional"/"less avant-garde" style of writing. Not quite what I understood "older age" to mean from the OP (although, of course, there is no denying that they were "older"! )

So, to add another composer whose work became pared down and more complex in his forties -

Beethoven.

There really is no disagreeing with that!

[Serial_Apologist]

Gorecki

[greenilex]

Might there be a development of wisdom in the widest sense, a feeling that important statements can come in smaller packages, a husbanding of energy - and even perhaps an impatience with trends?