Most Underrated Composers

[Brian]

Cras
Zelenka
Miaskovsky
Weinberg
Aho

Even on an otherwise very good list, these are outstanding choices.

I'll throw in Silvius Weiss.

[Bogey]

Without any doubt Joseph Haydn.

And maybe his brother.

Also,
Anatole Liadov and Nikolai N. Tcherepnin.  The later had little output, but then so did Buddy Holly.

Oh, and William Boyce as well.


How about Handel?

[Karl Henning]

I'll throw in Silvius Weiss.

This isn't another dwarf-tossing joke, is it? ; )

[Mirror Image]

You've got it all wrong. The problem is your tendency to equate "I like" with "greatest of all time" and vice versa, as well as using "snobbery" and cowtowing to "academia" as reasons for people disagreeing with you. Stop doing that (aka be a little humble and admit that you don't know it all), and we're fine with you loving Delius and disliking Bach.

I never claimed to "know it all." I equated Delius to ONE of the greatest of all-time, which you still can't seem to understand and, above all, it's just my opinion. I can dislike academia all I want, erato. It has nothing to do with disagreeing with me, I just don't like the snobbery of these people. That's okay isn't it? I can dislike something if I want to can't I? I don't need your permission to dislike something do I? Do I need to check in with you before sharing my love of music or posting something negative about a composer I don't like?

[Opus106]

Do I need to check in with you before [...] posting something negative about a composer I don't like?

No need for that. Just take a moment for yourself, make sure whether what you're about to post was really asked for and whether it makes sense, and then proceed accordingly. For instance consider this statement of unfair generalisation:

I can dislike academia all I want, erato. It has nothing to do with disagreeing with me, I just don't like the snobbery of these people.

[Lisztianwagner]

I think one can certainly be Gustav Holst. He's well known just for The Planets that, although it is absolutely a masterpiece, has unfortunately cast a shadow on many other beautiful  works Holst composed.

Others:
Allan Pettersson
William Schuman
Carlos Chavez
Yngve Sköld
Jón Leifs
Hans Christian Lumbye

[mszczuj]

Yes, that is the sense I meant it in.

So  did I. There are some  people in the history of  culture whose names are commonly known even to those who  are not especiallly interested in  art, liiterature, music.. Dante, Shakespeare, Goethe, Leonardo,, Michelangelo.  There are three composers  who belong to this pantheon. I think it is the great disadvantage  for the western culture that  it doesn't  remember that  Haydn  is one  of them.

[Ten thumbs]

In general, female composers are underrated. This doesn't mean that any are amongst the 'greatest' but only that they deserve a greater representation in the repertoire.

One exception: a strong case can be made for placing Fanny Hensel firmly amongst the greatest composers of lieder.

[Cato]

In general, female composers are underrated. This doesn't mean that any are amongst the 'greatest' but only that they deserve a greater representation in the repertoire.

One exception: a strong case can be made for placing Fanny Hensel firmly amongst the greatest composers of lieder.

Even with the unfortunate last name of Wagner, American Melinda Wagner has some recordings of interest out there:

[asin]B005CVFJ4O[/asin]

and

[asin]B00004T8MN[/asin]

Which besides M. Wagner's Flute Concerto, offers the Poul Ruders Concerto in Pieces.

[ibanezmonster]

I listened to a little bit of Couperin yesterday and enjoyed it.

Here's a good channel for lesser known composers and their (mainly) symphonies:
http://www.youtube.com/user/GoldieG89?feature=watch


It's kind of weird not being "stuck" on a certain composer or musician, since I have been for 13 years (ever since I've started listening to music). There's a ton of great stuff out there I don't know about (that channel proves it), but nothing at the moment to be obsessed over. I'll still get a rush out of Mahler every now and then, but it happens and it's over and I don't even think about listening to more.

It would be nice to find a new composer to be obsessed over. I've been enjoying some Lachenmann, Braga Santos, and Delius, but perhaps what I really need is for Mahler to come back to life again and write more symphonies. 

[Mirror Image]

Greg, I imagine a guy like you getting a bit obsessed with Shostakovich or Pettersson.

[ibanezmonster]

Greg, I imagine a guy like you getting a bit obsessed with Shostakovich or Pettersson.

Shostakovich phase passed (still one of my favorites), Pettersson I really only was crazy about the 7th and 8th symphonies. Maybe I should revisit a few of the other symphonies.
Any other suggestions? You seem to know a bit about obscure composers. 

[Mirror Image]

Shostakovich phase passed (still one of my favorites), Pettersson I really only was crazy about the 7th and 8th symphonies. Maybe I should revisit a few of the other symphonies.
Any other suggestions? You seem to know a bit about obscure composers. 

The only other Pettersson work I can stand behind and recommend without reservation is his Symphony No. 6. Like the 7th, this symphony has an amazing journey from darkness to light. Completely brooding and I highly suggest checking out the newer Christian Lindberg BIS recording for this symphony.

You might want to try some Rawsthorne. His three symphonies are aggressive but completely engaging IMHO. Checkout the Lloyd-Jones performances on Naxos.

[mszczuj]

perhaps what I really need is for Mahler to come back to life again and write more symphonies. 

Matthijs  Vermeulen. Try his 1st Symphony, you find perfect Mahler in it though mixed with Johannes Ockeghem, which of course doesn't make it worse, as Ockeghem is one of the greatest and the most underrated composers ever. The othean symphonies of Vermeulen are not so mahlerian but probably more interesting, especially the 2nd.

And it is not the bad idea to look down to Netherlands while looking for underrated composers as you can find the whole rows of them there. I was impressed especially by Vermeulen and Dieppenbrock, but there is an extremely interesting row of Andriessens as well.

[71 dB]

Taneyev.  Very underrated, when compared to his more 'famous' compatriots. 

Agreed. I hope Taneyev's time is finally coming. It already has to some degree.

[The new erato]

I never claimed to "know it all." I equated Delius to ONE of the greatest of all-time, which you still can't seem to understand and, above all, it's just my opinion. I can dislike academia all I want, erato. It has nothing to do with disagreeing with me, I just don't like the snobbery of these people. That's okay isn't it? I can dislike something if I want to can't I? I don't need your permission to dislike something do I? Do I need to check in with you before sharing my love of music or posting something negative about a composer I don't like?

You can like or dislike anything you want. I find your posts intereting, and most of your likes pretty similar to mine. But before you make sweeping generalizations based on limited experience, just take note of what Opus106 said. If you reread my comments you will see that they usually are triggered by those, not by your liked or dislikes.

[Mirror Image]

You can like or dislike anything you want. I find your posts intereting, and most of your likes pretty similar to mine. But before you make sweeping generalizations based on limited experience, just take note of what Opus106 said. If you reread my comments you will see that they usually are triggered by those, not by your liked or dislikes.

Okay, erato, I'm sorry for going on about this, let's just put it behind us.

[madaboutmahler]

Yngve Sköld

Definitely definitely definitely definitely, Ilaria!! So many great pieces which deserve more recordings. If I'm successful in being a conductor, I would love to promote his music.

[Brahmsian]

Definitely definitely definitely definitely, Ilaria!! So many great pieces which deserve more recordings. If When I'm successful in being a conductor, I would love to promote his music.

There Daniel, I had to fix that for you.  I have no doubt in my mind! 

[madaboutmahler]

There Daniel, I had to fix that for you.  I have no doubt in my mind! 

Oh, thank you, Ray! Very kind of you!!