Your No. 1 Composer

[TheGSMoeller]

I demand a recount!

[Brian]

I demand a recount!

This year I've listened to Beethoven at a clip of more than once per day 

[Karl Henning]

Hey, one has the odd year like that, and none to blame ; )

[Karl Henning]

Well, since Sarge has endorsed a single choice, and since I know that a banana is no use to a bulldog . . .

. . . and because selecting a wife is different, there's no need to forsake all composers else to cleave unto one alone . . .

I must say Stravinsky. His music was a seminal discovery for me early in my composing days.  I like the all-but-incredible variety through the course of his career, and yet the distinctive musical fingerprint throughout.  I like the rhythmic energy, the harmonic energy (which is a force, too), the wonderful colors of the scoring.

Aye.  No remorse here : )

[TheGSMoeller]

Aye.  No remorse here : )

I feel the same way with my R. Strauss pick. I have a thing for nostalgia and Strauss being my first real discovery into serious music will always have a lasting impact, even though I listen to other composers more often (Elgar, Byrd, Prokofiev, Britten, etc...) and there might not even be a piece of Richard in a list of my favorite pieces if it was limited to ten. But nothing could replace the joy I get from his music.

[madaboutmahler]

Aye.  No remorse here : )

I feel the same way with my R. Strauss pick. 

And I feel the same way with my Mahler pick. 

I see exactly what you mean, Greg - Elgar and Dvorak were the composers that got me into classical music and both of them remain very dear to me.

[North Star]

And I feel the same way with my Mahler pick. 

TWU!

As for my choice (I named Beethoven earlier), he's certainly still near the top. It feels impossible to choose from Chopin, Janacek, Prokofiev, Ravel, Sibelius, and Stravinsky. They are all unique composers with very individual styles, and I really couldn't say that I like one of them more than the others constantly, or even on average. I guess I could vote Ravel now.

[TheGSMoeller]

TWU!

As for my choice (I named Beethoven earlier), he's certainly still near the top. It feels impossible to choose from Chopin, Janacek, Prokofiev, Ravel, Sibelius, and Stravinsky. They are all unique composers with very individual styles, and I really couldn't say that I like one of them more than the others constantly, or even on average. I guess I could vote Ravel now.

And of course, this is a choice that doesn't necessarily have to be made, it's perfectly fine to have a group of favorite composers. I tend to find individual pieces easier to seperate, there are many pieces I would consider favorites from composers I barely listen to or only have appreciation for few of their works.

[North Star]

And of course, this is a choice that doesn't necessarily have to be made, it's perfectly fine to have a group of favorite composers. I tend to find individual pieces easier to seperate, there are many pieces I would consider favorites from composers I barely listen to or only have appreciation for few of their works.

You're certainly right, Greg. I agree on the separate works thing, but groupings make these composer listings much easier - 32 piano sonatas, 15 string quartets, 7 symphonies, or 3 Ballets Russes sound quite a bit more impressive than naming one or two individual works.
And someone could name a favourite composer without actually liking none of their individual works more than some other composers work.
But I'd rather have a couple of masterpieces than a shovelful of almost-great music.

[springrite]

You mean no one has voted for Tveitt yet?

[Karl Henning]

Tveitt Expectations!

[Ataraxia]

...still...

[Ataraxia]

Or Chopin...


Or Bach.

[TheGSMoeller]

...still...

This post is in need of some theme music...

http://www.youtube.com/v/-bzWSJG93P8

[Ataraxia]

Surely LvB can write his own theme music!

[TheGSMoeller]

...still...

Surely LvB can write his own theme music!

Oh, and he did...

http://www.youtube.com/v/VAQKFNrL-o0

[Ataraxia]

oy

[mahler10th]

My favourite composer.

[jwinter]

Bruckner was very tempting for me -- I truly love his entire aesthetic -- but being limited to mainly symphonies was too big a barrier.  Ditto Mahler.  Hard to compete with somebody like Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, or Schubert, where you have masterpieces in many different genres...

[Brahmsian]

Beethoven & Brahms are both # 1 for me.  And if you put a gun to my head to force me to pick just one, I'm afraid you'll just have to pull the trigger.