GMG Consensus: Who was the greatest composer of the 20th century?

[Karl Henning]

It's not many who know that the Grand Canyon Suite was originally the La Quinta Suite!

(Delighted that Paul got there first, though!)

[Clever Hans]

Don't see how the choice could be anything but Debussy, even if one prefers other composers.
By far the most influential on great music afterward--without him we would not even be discussing other composers as we recognize them (Ravel, Bartok, Stravinsky, Messiaen, Ligeti...). He basically established a whole new non-Germanic musical tradition, combined with the highest quality experimental yet equally listenable output in multiple genres. Keyboard and orchestral music fully a match with anything before, phenomenally evocative. You can also trace his resonance through popular music to today.

Some other expendable thoughts:

After him, perhaps Berg, student surpassing his master(s). The beautiful extension of Germanic/Viennese tradition, more sensuous and worldly than Schoenberg or Webern. The two most perfect operas since Mozart, and maybe the best violin concerto ever written.

Ligeti for 2nd half of century--most complete and original but eclectic formal innovations, and greatest choral works, masterpieces in all genres, e.g. piano concerto.

Depending on perspective, Stravinsky floats up or down, but not really above Debussy. For sure one could argue that he was greatest ballet composer and collaborator in history, with the greatest stylistic and rhythmic range of all 20th century composers.

After them, Bartok (who was kind of a master of both the new French and Germanic traditions), Messiaen, Prokofiev, etc. Sibelius gets the integrity award.

Mahler and Strauss IMO suffer both on taste, and respectively on the take yourself too seriously or not seriously enough scale, and both with one foot firmly in 19th century. Not to forget they were supreme orchestrators, and so on.

[mszczuj]

Greatest composer living in 20th century was for me without any doubts Richard Strauss. But I can't call him the greatest composer of the 20th century even if I think that his best works was composed in this century.

I would say Prokofiev because a lot of his best works are among the most inspired compositions of this century but some his other works are so mediocre that I'm not absolutely sure if he can be called great.

So let my vote be for Bartok.

[Mirror Image]

Yea .. I agree. The other major towering figure of the 2nd half of the 20th century .. pointing to the future .. is Stockhausen.

[chasmaniac]

Soooo...  What's the consensus?

[Cato]

Soooo...  What's the consensus?

Consensus?!   

It seems to be that the greatest composer is

Charles Gustav Arnold Alban Richard Debubergiveshausengetikofievichiski   

[mc ukrneal]

Consensus?!   

It seems to be that the greatest composer is

Charles Gustav Arnold Alban Richard Debubergiveshausengetikofievichiski   

For those looking for a short answer - it's Chuck!

[chasmaniac]

For those looking for a short answer - it's Chuck!

Get 'im onto the podium, then. Up, Chuck!

[North Star]

For those looking for a short answer - it's Chuck!

The greatest composer of the 20th century!

[Cato]

The greatest composer of the 20th century!

What about the composer who "writes the songs that make the whole world sing"

[not edward]

Well, obviously it was Richard Nanes.

[Karl Henning]

Ah, the songs of love and special things . . . . .

[Christo]

Well, obviously it was Richard Nanes.

The first time in years to hear his name. Still have his 'symphonies' though. 

[Chaszz]

Hahaha, good one.

Since it's James who started this thread, no one will dare say one particular name, even if they think he really is the greatest.

No one but me.

And even though I agree that "greatest" is a stupid word, putting the real, tangible value of composers on the level of sports figures or pop stars, I would say that the most influencial composer of the twentieth century, the one who clearly changed the whole rule book, as it were, was John Cage.

James will do his usual Tourette's routine that the word "Cage" triggers, but "Oh well." I think of James, now, as a little bug. That I will crush. Under my foot. On the sidewalk. Without compunction. (Well, maybe a little compunction. Eugh. If I actually did do that, I'd have to buy a new pair of shoes.)

John Cage met Marcel Duchamp in hell. Duchamp was condemned, for eternity, to provide an appropriate visualisation for Cage's '16 Minutes of Silence.' Each version was rejected by the Judge and Duchamp had to make another, over and over again, for eternity. Cage was condemned to produce a sound track for Ducamps' 'Urinal.' The result was accepted by the Judge, but Cage had to produce it, over and over again, for eternity. 

[Scion7]

the consensus?  well, there is no single "one" - but Stravinsky and Bartok and Schoenberg made the biggest waves in invention, and Bartok is a towering figure in music

[albedo]

orchestral, I flip flop

   
• Phillip Glass, really amazing.  His music has completely infected popular culture, surely that has some value? He is a No 2 or No 3, no?

   
• Samuel L Barber, talk about being apropos! Addagio for Strings, isn't just a song, it's a bookend to history. Yes there is more to him then that.

   
• Mahler or Debussy, arguably the finest

Many of the others mentioned are also fine candidates, and some i have to get to know better.


but nomination for best of the century, orchestral or no? for me, and I still have more to listen, so I hope this doesn't draw ire...


For me, the greatest composer of the 20th century is Jean Michael Jarre. 

[david johnson]

Beware consensus, it's often just pooled ignorance

[Karl Henning]

It's a piece of information, and like any piece of information, may be used discerningly, or foolishly.

[coffee]

It seems like Stravinsky and Schoenberg are near consensus, and then maybe Bartok.

For the fourth... I know I probably should say Prokofiev but I want to say Hindemith, Glass, Adams, Reich, Nono, Piazzolla, Ligeti, or Scnittke - but I really, really want to say Stockhausen - but I most of all have to pick Ellington.

[Scion7]

Hindemith's certainly on just about every list of VIP's of the 20th century.