Formal Introduction

[Dundonnell]

Although I have posted a few times in the Composers' section of this site and also started a couple of threads there I have not formally said 'Hello' yet.

I grew up with the music of Beethoven, Brahms and Wagner through the influence of my grandfather-who was a church organist-and my music-loving father. I still revere these great figures of the 19th century but at school I developed a passion for 20th century composers who were, in many cases, then quite obscure. One such early passion-which I shared with my school friend Malcolm MacDonald-was for the (then completely unheard) music of Havergal Brian. Of course Malcolm went on to become the leading expert on Brian's music!

I continue today to be an avid collector of primarily 20th century symphonic music. My favourite composers would include-

Vaughan Williams
Carl Nielsen
Sibelius
Shostakovich
Bruckner
and
British composers-Edmund Rubbra(in particular Symphonies 4,6, 7 and , Robert Simpson(in particular Symphonies 2, 4 and 9), Benjamin Frankel(Symphony No.2 above all), William Alwyn, Havergal Brian(still!), and, increasingly now, Richard Arnell
Scandinavians-Vagn Holmboe, Harald Saeverud, Kalevi Aho, Rautavaara, Joonas Kokkonen, Aulis Sallinen
Central Europeans-Panufnik, Egon Wellesz
Southern European-Malipiero, Braga Santos
Americans-William Schuman, Peter Mennin, Howard Hanson

I hope that I can contribute something to the enthusiasms of the members of the site!

[BachQ]

Vaughan Williams
Carl Nielsen
Sibelius
Shostakovich
Bruckner
and
British composers-Edmund Rubbra(in particular Symphonies 4,6, 7 and , Robert Simpson(in particular Symphonies 2, 4 and 9), Benjamin Frankel(Symphony No.2 above all), William Alwyn, Havergal Brian(still!), and, increasingly now, Richard Arnell
Scandinavians-Vagn Holmboe, Harald Saeverud, Kalevi Aho, Rautavaara, Joonas Kokkonen, Aulis Sallinen
Central Europeans-Panufnik, Egon Wellesz
Southern European-Malipiero, Braga Santos
Americans-William Schuman, Peter Mennin, Howard Hanson

Solid list ......... Welcome to the forum ......... 

[uffeviking]

All those great Scandinavians! I'll welcome you, even though you did not include Uuno Klami, but we can't all be perfect! 

Did you see the special thread we have for Richard Arnell? 

[mahlertitan]

welcome, always good to see another Bruckner enthusiast.

[Hollywood]

Greetings from Beethoven's Heiligenstadt, Dundonnell. Welcome to the forum. 

[Harry]

Yes, I agree with D minor, solid list, fine composers.
Welcome than!

[bhodges]

Hi Dundonnell, and welcome.  Another hearty "yes" to your large list of composers!

--Bruce

[Greta]

Awesome list! I certainly noticed that Sibelius and Rautavaara. How nice to see someone mention Howard Hanson too!

Welcome, very glad to have you at GMG. 

[Christo]

Terrific list, and much to share with many other enthusiasts, in this forum. Speaking for myself, I at least share with you composers like:

Vaughan Williams
Havergal Brian (being a former HBS member too, like so many in this forum@!)
William Alwyn
Richard Arnell - great recent discovery
Carl Nielsen
Vagn Holmboe
Braga Santos

I probably should learn a lot more from you about many of your other names. Bw, Christo