Your Three Favorite Composers

[amw]

Ha!...my top three. If this were 1885 you'd be in Hanslick's camp...and we'd be mortal enemies 

Sarge

Well, if this were 1885, I'd probably never have heard of any of them. Or if I had heard of them, due to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra not being founded for another 60 years, the only way I could get to know them would be by playing the piano four hands arrangements (and humming the vocal parts) with a friend. Then I would send a telegram to Vienna that said something like "Herr Mahler's new symphony is certainly an interesting work, but I am not sure I understand it..." and then probably die of tuberculosis or something.

I'd always seen that quip attributed to Rossini.

[Sergeant Rock]

Well, if this were 1885, I'd probably never have heard of any of them. Or if I had heard of them, due to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra not being founded for another 60 years, the only way I could get to know them would be by playing the piano four hands arrangements (and humming the vocal parts) with a friend. Then I would send a telegram to Vienna that said something like "Herr Mahler's new symphony is certainly an interesting work, but I am not sure I understand it..." and then probably die of tuberculosis or something.

Mahler's first published work was a four-hand arrangement of Bruckner's Third. I wonder what your 19th century self would have thought of that 

Actually, Hanslick wasn't so critical of Mahler, at least not critical of some of the works he heard. Of the Wunderhorn songs he said:

"It would have been contrary to his nature to have treated these poems in the simple, undemanding manner of previous composers. Although a folk-like character is retained in the vocal line, this is underlaid by a sumptuous accompaniment, alert in its sprightliness and vivid in modulation, which Mahler gives, not to the piano, but to the orchestra. For folk songs, this is an uncommonly large and indeed refined ensemble. It is impossible to ignore the fact that there is a contradiction between the concept of "folk song" and this artful, super abundant orchestral accompaniment. Yet Mahler has pursued this venture with extraordinary delicacy and masterly technique."

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

The quarter hours thing is peerless.

I thought it was Rossini who said that, but I may well be in error.

[ritter]

It was Rossini, as far as I know...I'm afraid Eduard Hanslick didn't have that kind of humour...

[Ken B]

I thought it was Rossini who said that, but I may well be in error.

Another reason to like Rossini!

[North Star]

Another reason to like Rossini!

In addition to Tournedos Rossini.

[Brian]

The quarter hours thing is peerless. This is my choice for the second best musical insult: "Listening to the fifth symphony of Ralph Vaughan Williams is like staring at a cow for 45 minutes." - Copland

God, that's ironic. It's ironic in so many ways.

[Mirror Image]

I suppose Gershwin seems a bit out of place. His music is not complicated, but I think he did a great job in orchestral writing ("Concerto in F", "An American in Paris", and "Cuban Overture" are pieces I listen to very often) and I find a great deal of enjoyment in these three works alone. Maybe three pieces seems a bit low for honorable mention, but it's my list (I admit, part of this is because I feel bad that he died at such an early age). His early death (38 years old, from a brain tumor) is really a shame since he was starting to show real talent and musical diversity. I think that it's interesting that he thought highly of Schoenberg and twelve-tone music. Even though I don't care much for dodecaphonic music myself, this means a lot to me because it shows that he was capable of appreciating various styles in music (something that I am lacking in, though I try). It leads me to wonder what would have entered his musical influences in the future. Neoclassicism? Minimalism? Micropolyphony? Maybe it sounds absurd (to me, even, as I type), but we really won't know for sure.
Haha, I'm surprised that you're surprised. I've been fearing that my posts have been a one-trick-pony with my posts on Ligeti. There are several reasons why I am particularly attached to his music. I am fairly new here and I should add an "introduction" post for myself soon which may explain.

That's cool. We all enjoy composers for different reasons. Some composers we enjoy more than others of course. That would be cool if you could give us an introduction to yourself, especially since you seem like you'll be sticking around for awhile (I hope so anyway).

Since you like both Bartok and Stravinsky, I am going to assume that you particularly like Bartok's second piano concerto -- it has a lot of Stravinsky in it, I think (even aside from the sped-up "Firebird"-finale theme). I love the first two PCs equally (my favorite is whatever one I'm listening to at the time). The third is very good as well, but I don't enjoy it as much as the first two.

I love all three of Bartok's PCs. BTW, I don't just like Stravinsky and Bartok. I LOVE their music and the same equally applies to Ravel. These three composers are my desert island picks and three I couldn't live without no matter how far I stray from their music, I always find a way back to my 'home base' if that makes any sense.

[Mirror Image]

Gasp!!!  I am shocked, John! 

I still love Shostakovich, so no need to worry here, Ray. I've just been trying to figure out what's musically important to me and, while Shostakovich's music has meant a lot to me, he's not in the final picture.

[Mirror Image]

Rather we should be shocked if Shostakovich remained his favorite. 

[Ken B]

The wit of Rossini
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/gioachino_rossini.html

[kishnevi]

The wit of Rossini
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/gioachino_rossini.html

"One can't judge Wagner's opera Lohengrin after a first hearing, and I certainly don't intend to hear it a second time"

What's the Italian for "snark"?

But I've snatched the tastiest quote for my .sig line.

[Willow Pattern]

A few years ago I would have said that Bach was my favourite composer but I have hardly listened to his music lately. Since I started seriously listening to Classical Music about 7 years ago I have re-visited Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and Sibelius many time and think they could more realistically rank as favorites. Truth is I like a lot of Composers and am always changing my mind - I am also very fond of Debussy, Vaughan Williams and Prokofiev (a late addition to my list). Really if Iwas to list my favourite composers there would probably be about 50 names on it

[Mirror Image]

A few years ago I would have said that Bach was my favourite composer but I have hardly listened to his music lately. Since I started seriously listening to Classical Music about 7 years ago I have re-visited Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and Sibelius many time and think they could more realistically rank as favorites. Truth is I like a lot of Composers and am always changing my mind - I am also very fond of Debussy, Vaughan Williams and Prokofiev (a late addition to my list). Really if Iwas to list my favourite composers there would probably be about 50 names on it

One way to single your favorite composers out and pick three is to figure out whose music you have been listening to since the very beginning who have made the greatest impression on you emotionally and intellectually. In other words, three composers you simply could not live without. The reason I changed mine is because, again, if I'm going to be completely honest here, then I will have to trace my classical listening all the way back to the beginning and find who has made the greatest impression on me. Of course, these three composers don't have to be necessarily composers you listen to on a regular basis. Not only do I think Stravinsky, Bartok, and Ravel are the greatest composers to ever walk on this planet, but I think each of them were men of principles and tried to stay true to their own intuitions and I respect that greatly.

[Ken B]

What's the Italian for "snark"?

Bel canto.

[Ken B]

MI,
So you're saying Bach had no legs? I don't recall that from any liner notes.
How did he play the organ??
I'm confused.

 

[Brahmsian]

John's 3 favourites started off like this (since start of thread):

Shostakovich
Schnittke
Hartmann

Now it is:

Stravinsky
Bartok
Ravel

I didn't all the pages in between to see if there have been other changes.  I just know that Shostakovich has long been a favourite of John's. That's why I was shocked. 

Projections of John's Top 3 composers by early 2015:

(in no order)

Delius
Strauss, R.   
Beethoven 

[ibanezmonster]

God, that's ironic. It's ironic in so many ways.

Yes, it is.

Wow. No way Mahler could ever sink to #4 with me. Or even #2.

Same here. I've done plenty of music searching through the last, probably (at least close to) 10 years that he has been my favorite composer and it just seems that I'll never find anyone that has the same powerful effect, and most likely he'll always be my favorite. Fortunately, I discovered some great non-classical music that surprisingly comes close to how much I enjoy his music, but I just don't see how the language of music can even express anything greater than he did.

[Mirror Image]

Projections of John's Top 3 composers by early 2015:

(in no order)

Delius
Strauss, R.   
Beethoven 

Good one! Lol...

[Sergeant Rock]

Wow. No way Mahler could ever sink to #4 with me. Or even #2.

Same here.

Same here. I first heard Mahler when I was 17 (Klemp's Resurrection) and it was love at first listen. And now, 48 years later, he's still part of my personal Trinity.

Sarge