Final answer:
Modernist composers from 1900-1939, like Igor Stravinsky, Gustav Mahler, and Richard Strauss, broke from tradition and created new musical expressions that are now recognized as classics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The era of Modernism in music, typically defined from the early 20th century to the onset of World War II, was marked by a conscious break from the traditions of the Romantic era. It was characterized by experimentation and a desire for novelty, which included alterations in scales, notes, and rhythms. Igor Stravinsky stands out as a quintessential modernist composer, particularly known for his revolutionary work, 'The Rite of Spring.' This ballet, with its avant-garde approach to rhythm and dissonance, shocked contemporary audiences and became an emblem of modernist exploration.
During the same period, other composers were also pushing the boundaries of music. Composers like Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss extended the scope of Romantic musical techniques to their limits. Alongside them, composers like Arnold Schoenberg were pioneering atonal music and serialism, while Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel were developing the impressionist movement in music.
Each of these composers contributed to the diversity and richness of modernist music, influencing the trajectory of Western music through radical innovation and a rejection of established norms.