Ten greatest (not 'favourite') 20th Century composers.

[Karl Henning]

Actually, I find de Falla musically interesting.

As do I, no doubt about it.

As with Ives (another consideration) . . . de Falla's output is slight enough, I think it difficult to claim that he earns a place at a table, where more prolific greatness takes a ready seat.

[Mirror Image]

Trying to be objective as I can here...

(In no particular order)

Debussy
Stravinsky
Ravel
Britten
Schoenberg
Shostakovich
Prokofiev
Bartok
Ligeti
Messiaen

[Christo]

Okay, so make the case for de Falla being a greater composer than (to choose one which dropped off your list) Schoenberg.  I promise to find your argument musically interesting 

The honest answer - I think I owe you one - is, that I simply don't know how to rank Schönberg from the mid-1920s on. The composer of the Gurre Lieder is, no doubt, and even for me  , one of the greatest ever. I have no clue, however, how posterity will judge the system he 'imposed' on part of the art music of the 20th Century. And I'm definitely not qualified to make a try myself. 

[Karl Henning]

Thanks for your post! That's a great topic, but I'm going to take it to the proper thread . . . .

[The new erato]

Good list John.

[Karl Henning]

The honest answer - I think I owe you one - is, that I simply don't know how to rank Schönberg from the mid-1920s on. The composer of the Gurre Lieder is, no doubt, and even for me  , one of the greatest ever. I have no clue, however, how posterity will judge the system he 'imposed' on part of the art music of the 20th Century. And I'm definitely not qualified to make a try myself. 

In case you're interested (and you may noy be)  0:)

[Mirror Image]

Good list John.

Thanks, Erato.

[Lisztianwagner]

Mahler
Sibelius
Strauss
Bartók
Stravinsky
Shostakovich
Debussy
Ravel
Schönberg
Prokofiev

[DavidW]

I agree with James, that would simply result in singling out minor composers that are not nearly as influential as the greats.  Who is Grisey and why does he warrant more attention than Berg, Webern, Debussy, Shostakovich etc?

[DavidW]

Could you list some of those composers?  What is the spectral style?

[kyjo]

So many members are listing Mahler, but isn't he late-romantic, not 20th century?

[kyjo]

Mahler
Sibelius
Strauss
Bartók
Stravinsky
Shostakovich
Debussy
Ravel
Schönberg
Prokofiev

Strauss? Seriously? Other than that, nice list, Ilaria.

[DavidW]

See this.

Reading that article, it doesn't sound like a school or even a style.  It is a technique that some composers choose to include in their compositional process.  Thanks for sharing the link.

[Mirror Image]

So many members are listing Mahler, but isn't he late-romantic, not 20th century?

I could have easily listed Mahler. Mahler's music is, or so I have read, seen as a link between Romanticism of the 19th Century and Modernism of the 20th Century. Mahler clearly had his foot in the door of the 20th Century, Kyle. He composed some of his greatest music in the first 10 years of the 20th Century.

[Brahmsian]

I could have easily listed Mahler. Mahler's music is, or so I have read, seen as a link between Romanticism of the 19th Century and Modernism of the 20th Century. Mahler clearly had his foot in the door of the 20th Century, Kyle. He composed some of his greatest music in the first 10 years of the 20th Century.

John, I'd be interesting in knowing what your father's favourites are for each individual Mahler symphony (recordings).

I remember you mentioning your father has nearly (if not all) Mahler recordings.

[kyjo]

I could have easily listed Mahler. Mahler's music is, or so I have read, seen as a link between Romanticism of the 19th Century and Modernism of the 20th Century. Mahler clearly had his foot in the door of the 20th Century, Kyle. He composed some of his greatest music in the first 10 years of the 20th Century.

True, John. I always consider Debussy to be the first real "20th century" composer, but, of course, your mileage may vary.

[Mirror Image]

John, I'd be interesting in knowing what your father's favourites are for each individual Mahler symphony (recordings).

I remember you mentioning your father has nearly (if not all) Mahler recordings.

Yes, I'll have to ask him to compile a list, Ray. He hasn't kept up with the current crop of Mahler recordings on the market, but he owns every box set and tons of individual recordings that aren't boxed up.

[Brahmsian]

Yes, I'll have to ask him to compile a list, Ray. He hasn't kept up with the current crop of Mahler recordings on the market, but he owns every box set and tons of individual recordings that aren't boxed up.

That would be great, John! 

[Christo]

In case you're interested (and you may noy be)  0:)

Yes, read with appreciation. 

[Karl Henning]

I also think there are more than ten great composers from the 20th century.  Using the term "greatest" is a red herring, IMO, it is like saying this is more infinite than that.  Either a composer is great or not, among the greats, there is no greatest.

I still think this thread works. A single greatest composer (even of the century) were the reddest of herrings.  But unless we posit that all great composers are equally great (which sets my own dodgi-o-meter twitching), I think discussing a set of ten exceptionally great composers has merits.