GMG's Top 10 Composers

[Mirror Image]

QFT

My ten favorites . . . as listed today:

Stravinsky
Shostakovich
Schoenberg
Prokofiev
Ravel
Berlioz
Tchaikovsky
Sibelius
Chopin
Rakhmaninov

Five Russians in your list and all are outstanding. Yes, the Russians created some of the most remarkable classical music I think. For me, my breakdown would be like this: 1. Russians, 2. East European, 3. German, 4. French, 5. Latin American, 6. Scandinavian, 7. English, 9. Italian, and 10. American.

[karlhenning]

Yes, so much music written by Russians really sings to me, and sets my feet a-dancing.

[Brahmsian]

QFT

My ten favorites . . . as listed today:

Stravinsky
Shostakovich
Schoenberg
Prokofiev
Ravel
Berlioz
Tchaikovsky
Sibelius
Chopin
Rakhmaninov

Karl, the only one on this list that I find surprising is Chopin.  I would have never guessed you were a huge Chopin fan, that's all. 

[karlhenning]

: )

[MDL]

So far...

Puccini: 0
Ligeti: 7

Excellent! Who can argue with those stats?

(We're a slightly perverse bunch, aren't we?)

[bhodges]

So far...

Puccini: 0
Ligeti: 7

Excellent! Who can argue with those stats?

(We're a slightly perverse bunch, aren't we?)

   

(Noted as a fan of Puccini, too...)

--Bruce

[MDL]

   

(Noted as a fan of Puccini, too...)

--Bruce

Oh, of course. I've listened to a few Puccini operas recently and actually quite enjoyed them. I'm not Puccini-bashing; I'm just amused by the quirkiness of the voting so far. Maybe all the oddballs (out-and-proud oddball here) have voted first and the poll is destined to to drift towards the mainstream as time goes by.

Hope not, though.

[Florestan]

With Beethoven, Brahms and Mozart leading, it looks rather mainstream to me. 

[mc ukrneal]

So far, after 40 voters:

1 - Beethoven - 33
2 - Brahms - 30
3 - Bach, Mozart - 26
5 - Mahler - 20
6 - Schubert - 18
7 - Shostakovich, Stravinsky, Sibelius - 15
10 - Tchaikovsky, Bruckner, Wagner - 14

Already some changes. With 44 votes in:
1. Beethoven     - 35 (79.5% of voters)
2. Brahms          - 32 (72.7%)
3. Mozart           - 29 (65.9%)
4. Bach              - 28 (63.6%)
5. Mahler           - 21 (47.7%)
6. Schubert        - 20 (45.5%)
7. Shostakovich - 16 (36.4%)
7. Sibelius          - 16 (36.4%)
7. Stravinsky      - 16 (36.4%)
7. Wagner          - 16 (36.4%)

Interesting to note that 4 composers are represented on 50%+ of all voters (Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, Bach). There may still be some adds/drops at the bottom of the list as people find their way to the poll, while the others seem pretty safe at the moment.

[MDL]

With Beethoven, Brahms and Mozart leading, it looks rather mainstream to me. 

Of course you're right, on the whole. But there are a surprising number of unexpected rankings that tickled me; the 7-0 Ligeti/Puccini being the most obvious. I'm sure that if, say, The Daily Telegraph gave away a free CD of what their hacks thought were the top ten classical composers, it would be far more likely to include a bit of La Bohème rather than a bit of Lontano.

[Florestan]

Of course you're right, on the whole. But there are a surprising number of unexpected rankings that tickled me; the 7-0 Ligeti/Puccini being the most obvious. I'm sure that if, say, The Daily Telegraph gave away a free CD of what their hacks thought were the top ten classical composers, it would be far more likely to include a bit of La Bohème rather than a bit of Lontano.

This is indeed strange, I agree. And given a recent debate over Puccini's music in which at least two distinguished GMG-ers expressed their love and appreciation for his operas, I'm surprised as well that he didn't receive a single vote.

[abidoful]

Bach-Mozart-Schubert-Chopin-Wagner-Bruckner-Faure-Debussy-Sibelius-Messiaen
Had to struggle little between Wagner and Tsaikovski.

[Mirror Image]

This is indeed strange, I agree. And given a recent debate over Puccini's music in which at least two distinguished GMG-ers expressed their love and appreciation for his operas, I'm surprised as well that he didn't receive a single vote.

Yes, it is strange, but some questions remain: do these people, who praised Puccini, consider him one of their favorite composers and do they find him worthy enough for their top 10? I like a lot of composer's music, but this doesn't necessarily mean they're one of my favorites.

[mc ukrneal]

Yes, it is strange, but some questions remain: do these people, who praised Puccini, consider him one of their favorite composers and do they find him worthy enough for their top 10? I like a lot of composer's music, but this doesn't necessarily mean they're one of my favorites.

Just to clarify, this list is whatever you want to consider a 'top 10 composer'. It does not have to be a favorite list, and I am actually a bit confused where that came from, but is certainly an acceptable criteria since there were none.

[Mirror Image]

Just to clarify, this list is whatever you want to consider a 'top 10 composer'. It does not have to be a favorite list, and I am actually a bit confused where that came from, but is certainly an acceptable criteria since there were none.

Top 10 composers = personal subjectivity.

[DavidRoss]

Of course you're right, on the whole. But there are a surprising number of unexpected rankings that tickled me; the 7-0 Ligeti/Puccini being the most obvious. I'm sure that if, say, The Daily Telegraph gave away a free CD of what their hacks thought were the top ten classical composers, it would be far more likely to include a bit of La Bohème rather than a bit of Lontano.

Somehow I suspect that those prone to put Ligeti in their top 10 faves haven't too many others to push him lower in the rankings (Stockhausen, Varese, Boulez?) whereas those who like Puccini may like dozens better...?  It might be interesting to see who voted for him.

[Brahmsian]

Or it could just be that Puccini is the most overrated composer of all time?   

[DavidRoss]

Or it could just be that Puccini is the most overrated composer of all time?   

Hmmm...how could a guy who managed to write several of the most beloved operas of all time and oodles of heart-meltingly beautiful music, yet who is commonly regarded as an unworthy hack, possibly be over-rated?

[bhodges]

I love Puccini, just not enough to include him in the top 10! He might be in my top 20, however. 

--Bruce

[Leon]

He would definitely be among my Top 20. 

But, his range is rather narrow, and for a composer to rise to the level in my mind of "greatness" they'd have to work in a variety of instrumental as well as vocal genres, and produce chamber, orchestral, and solo instrumental works from which, at least a few, are considered major contributions to the literature.

Having said that, I did include Richard Wagner in my list of great composers and this depite his lack of fulfilling my aforesaid requirements.  Hmm, I may have found my excuse to omit Herr Richard.