Which contemporary composer is NOT included in the following list: Bartok, Britten, Copland, Dello Joio?

The correct answer is Beethoven, as he is not considered a contemporary composer. He lived from 1770 to 1827, which places him in the Classical and early Romantic periods of music history. In contrast, Bartók, Britten, Copland, and Dello Joio are all 20th-century composers known for their contributions to contemporary music. Bartók is noted for his ethnomusicological interests, Britten for his operatic works, Copland for his distinctly American style, and Dello Joio for his choral and orchestral compositions in the mid-20th century.

Kabalevsky, Prokofiev, and Poulenc, on the other hand, are all contemporaries of the composers listed and therefore fit the specified category of contemporary composers. Kabalevsky and Prokofiev were part of the Soviet music scene, while Poulenc was associated with the French avant-garde. In this context, Beethoven clearly stands out as the one who does not fit the definition of contemporary, aligning with the correct answer.