Classical composers you used to dislike—but now you love their works?

[Carlo Gesualdo]

This an interesting subject on it's one, see a primal example would be Tomas Luis DA Victoria, this composer did not mean much for me not that I did not try, had Several's albums in CD media, Had a Naxos did not meant much  then two others CDs on Accent label, Dorian and other label including luxurious pricey one,  eventually  I was thinking perhaps this composer boring...

Well all of this change when has purchasing both LINN released of DA Victoria, his music sound glorious, triumphant, astonishing good Philip Cave and His ensemble did wonders here! 

[DaveF]

In my youth I used to tell myself that I didn't (i.e. shouldn't) like Rachmaninoff because stuff like that, without a tone-row in sight, had no place in the 20th century.  Then I convinced myself that his brilliant orchestration and wonderful long-range tonal architecture were sufficient excuse.  Now I'm old enough not to care, I just love the tunes.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Beethoven. Have a nice week and Merry Christmas, D!

[springrite]

Schubert and Bruckner.

[Symphonic Addict]

In my case there is a good deal of them!

Schumann
Schoenberg
Carter
Bridge (late period)
Reger
Berg
Boulez
Scelsi
a few others I don't remember right now


I'm not meaning I love all their output, but rather I've been progressing in enjoying and understanding better what they intended to put on the score and convey the listeners.

Webern is a lost case. The same goes for Stockhausen. I've tried, but I just can't connect with their musical aesthetics.

[Mirror Image]

In my case there is a good deal of them!

Schoenberg
Berg
Boulez
Scelsi

Oh, this is a fine list! Schoenberg and Berg have impressed more and more through the years. They've certainly become favorites of mine. Boulez and Scelsi are harder sells, but I do find them rewarding.

[Symphonic Addict]

Oh, this is a fine list! Schoenberg and Berg have impressed more and more through the years. They've certainly become favorites of mine. Boulez and Scelsi are harder sells, but I do find them rewarding.

It's been a rather nice experience when I come to grips with challenging composers and works. It gives me certain satisfaction and weirdness.

[Mirror Image]

It's been a rather nice experience when I come to grips with challenging composers and works. It gives me certain satisfaction and weirdness.

Well, Schoenberg and Berg are just f****** nuts and this is precisely why I love them. They're so unique and I they used to be challenging, but not any longer. Once you've learned their musical language, it's easier to access their music.

[staxomega]

I haven't quite done a 180 going from dislike to like. My initial impression of Debussy's music was it's "soundtrack music" and how could he be mentioned in the same breath as Ravel. Then I actually listened, and he turned out to be one of my favorite composers with one of my top 5 operas in Pelléas et Mélisande. And his cello sonata and string quartet being two pieces I have more recordings of than other pieces I like just as much. It was quite painful leaving him off my top 10 composers list.

Bartok is another where my introduction to him was with Concerto for Orchestra and the string quartets, pretty difficult listening with the string quartets that early on. I left him be for years, and just like Debussy he turned out to be one of my favorite composers.

I'd already been listening to classical for quite a while before I got to the Second Viennese School plus followers. My initial impression of Schoenberg is where had he been all my life? Went on a ravenous spree reading everything I could.

[Karl Henning]

I haven't quite done a 180 going from dislike to like. My initial impression of Debussy's music was it's "soundtrack music" and how could he be mentioned in the same breath as Ravel. Then I actually listened, and he turned out to be one of my favorite composers with one of my top 5 operas in Pelléas et Mélisande. And his cello sonata and string quartet being two pieces I have more recordings of than other pieces I like just as much. It was quite painful leaving him off my top 10 composers list.

Bartok is another where my introduction to him was with Concerto for Orchestra and the string quartets, pretty difficult listening with the string quartets that early on. I left him be for years, and just like Debussy he turned out to be one of my favorite composers.

I'd already been listening to classical for quite a while before I got to the Second Viennese School plus followers. My initial impression of Schoenberg is where had he been all my life? Went on a ravenous spree reading everything I could.

Fabulous.

[Mirror Image]

I haven't quite done a 180 going from dislike to like. My initial impression of Debussy's music was it's "soundtrack music" and how could he be mentioned in the same breath as Ravel. Then I actually listened, and he turned out to be one of my favorite composers with one of my top 5 operas in Pelléas et Mélisande. And his cello sonata and string quartet being two pieces I have more recordings of than other pieces I like just as much. It was quite painful leaving him off my top 10 composers list.

Bartok is another where my introduction to him was with Concerto for Orchestra and the string quartets, pretty difficult listening with the string quartets that early on. I left him be for years, and just like Debussy he turned out to be one of my favorite composers.

I'd already been listening to classical for quite a while before I got to the Second Viennese School plus followers. My initial impression of Schoenberg is where had he been all my life? Went on a ravenous spree reading everything I could.

As Karl wrote, fabulous! Anyone who likes Debussy, Ravel, Bartók and the Second Viennese School is a friend of mine.

[amw]

When I started out at the age of seven or eight I only liked about five composers (Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert) and considered all the rest to be overrated garbage. As a result, practically every other composer has improved in my standings over time. Most recently, while I don't love Mahler, Bruckner or Rachmaninov, I've definitely experienced enough of a change of heart that I find them tolerable and understand their work.

[Rinaldo]

There's been a few but the one that comes to mind immediately is... Bach. "Dislike" might be too strong a word but his music did nothing for me earlier and it certainly does now. Goldbergs cracked the ice, St. Matthew plowed right through.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Beethoven. Have a nice week and Merry Christmas, D!

Merry Christmas to you too!

Boy, I'm having a hard time thinking of specific ones.  Probably along the lines of me trying to get my head around a number of contemporary composers' works--like those particularly early ones using tape and electronic sounds/noises.  I'm now poking my nose into this general area and am more curious about it,  For example, I'm intrigued by the music used in the film Shutter Island. 

Still dragging my heals about listening to Bruckner and most of Mahler though I do own a smattering of recordings of some of their works.  Time:  I want more of it! 

When I started out at the age of seven or eight I only liked about five composers (Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert) and considered all the rest to be overrated garbage. As a result, practically every other composer has improved in my standings over time. Most recently, while I don't love Mahler, Bruckner or Rachmaninov, I've definitely experienced enough of a change of heart that I find them tolerable and understand their work.

  Isn't it amazing how certain things become enjoyable over the course of ones life?    I mean that sincerely in case you're wondering.

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I haven't quite done a 180 going from dislike to like. My initial impression of Debussy's music was it's "soundtrack music" and how could he be mentioned in the same breath as Ravel. Then I actually listened, and he turned out to be one of my favorite composers with one of my top 5 operas in Pelléas et Mélisande. And his cello sonata and string quartet being two pieces I have more recordings of than other pieces I like just as much. It was quite painful leaving him off my top 10 composers list.

Bartok is another where my introduction to him was with Concerto for Orchestra and the string quartets, pretty difficult listening with the string quartets that early on. I left him be for years, and just like Debussy he turned out to be one of my favorite composers.

I'd already been listening to classical for quite a while before I got to the Second Viennese School plus followers. My initial impression of Schoenberg is where had he been all my life? Went on a ravenous spree reading everything I could.

Nice!  So glad to hear that you're opinion of Debussy and Bartok changed.     Must admit that I need to explore the Second Viennese School more.  My loss I'm sure.

PD

[Karl Henning]

Nice!  So glad to hear that you're opinion of Debussy and Bartok changed.     Must admit that I need to explore the Second Viennese School more.  My loss I'm sure.

PD

There's time, PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

There's time, PD

Hopefully! 

I do have a tiny bit of Berg and Webern and should revisit those.  So much music, so little time (along with general chores, cooking, other interests, etc.)....

PD

[Mirror Image]

Hopefully! 

I do have a tiny bit of Berg and Webern and should revisit those.  So much music, so little time (along with general chores, cooking, other interests, etc.)....

PD

A tiny bit of Berg and Webern is actually a good bit as they didn't compose a lot of music.

[staxomega]

Nice!  So glad to hear that you're opinion of Debussy and Bartok changed.     Must admit that I need to explore the Second Viennese School more.  My loss I'm sure.

PD

I'm glad too Bartok has to be one of the most consistent composers, even most of his juvenilia I find to be quite high quality. With my natural love of chamber music it was incorrect of me to dive straight into the string quartets, though they are now among my favorite works in the entire classical repertoire. With Berg and Webern I would start with their lieder if you like that style, both of them (same with Schoenberg) wrote very beautiful songs. 

[The new erato]

Chopin. Or rather, I loved his 2nd sonata and found the rest of it rather uninteresting. Perhaps because of a lack of exposure, or being involved in the explorations of tons of other stuff I found interesting at the time. One cannot digest all. When you're full, you're full. Perspective requires time.