Composers of whose music one CD is enough

[Mark]

As some of you will know (thanks to my recently begun Satie thread over in 'Composer Discussion'), I've been listening to old Erik's handiwork this evening. And while I'm undecided about whether or not to take his music seriously, I'm very much decided that one CD of Satie is quite sufficient.

When the music stopped, I trawled my shelves, looking for the name of another composer of whom I might say this. I couldn't come up with anyone, so I'm throwing this open to the floor: Are there any composers you've heard whose music is (or would be) quite adequately represented (for you) by just a single CD in your collection?

[Catison]

I will entirely agree with you about Satie.  Beyond the "Best of" compilation, there isn't much else.

A composer you are looking for would have the following characteristic: all of their music basically sounds the same.  I can see that there may be some composers for which people would genuinely believe that to be true.  For instance, Morton Feldman, Philip Glass, Iannis Xenakis, Michael Nyman, Cornelius Cardew, Brian Ferneyhough, etc. could all sound like composers who just redid the same thing over and over again.  But then again, I just named some of my favorite composers.

[Mark]

I will entirely agree with you about Satie.  Beyond the "Best of" compilation, there isn't much else.

A composer you are looking for would have the following characteristic: all of their music basically sounds the same.  I can see that there may be some composers for which people would genuinely believe that to be true.  For instance, Morton Feldman, Philip Glass, Iannis Xenakis, Michael Nyman, Cornelius Cardew, Brian Ferneyhough, etc.

Hmmm ... that's made me think again about buying Glass' symphonies - I already have a disc with his Violin Concerto on it (which I love, BTW).

[orbital]

For me VW is one of them, Elgar is another (though both are double cd's if that makes a difference).

[Lethevich]

Alan Hovhaness wins this thread...

Hmmm ... that's made me think again about buying Glass' symphonies - I already have a disc with his Violin Concerto on it (which I love, BTW).

I like this disc a lot, it's excellently recorded. Not so sure about the music, but the fact that I've listened to it on several occasions over the period of time since it was released must mean I like it.

[Mark]

For me VW is one of them, Elgar is another (though both are double cd's if that makes a difference).

VW as in RVW? Seriously?

Each to his own, I guess.

Alan Hovhaness wins this thread...

I only have the Cello Concerto and Symphony No. 22 'City Of Light'. Not worth buying more, then?

I like this disc a lot, it's excellently recorded. Not so sure about the music, but the fact that I've listened to it on several occasions over the period of time since it was released must mean I like it.

That's on my wishlist, actually.

[BachQ]

Somehow, one of Elgar's marches slipped into my CD collection (it's only 4 minutes, thankfully) ......... otherwise .........

[hornteacher]

All of my Bernstein favorites fit on one CD:

Candide Overture
West Side Story Symphonic Dances
Prelude Fugue and Riffs
Serenade for Violin
On the Town
Fancy Free Ballet

[Kullervo]

Somehow, one of Elgar's marches slipped into my CD collection (it's only 4 minutes, thankfully) ......... otherwise .........

Perhaps you should supplant that with this disc:

[Lethevich]

I only have the Cello Concerto and Symphony No. 22 'City Of Light'. Not worth buying more, then?

I can't answer for you, of course, but of any composer I can think of, he has a distinctive style which is interesting at first, but oh.my.god it gets repetetive. There's a double (I think) disc set that often gets mentioned as all the Hovhaness one could ever need, with some named symphonies on (and I think Schwarz conducting).

[Bonehelm]

Haydn to me is the most repetitive composer ever. 104 symphonies, all in almost same format. So hearing the 94th then the 45th is already enough.

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

Puccini: Highlights only please
Copland: not even sure I need one CD
Britten:     "      "     "    "   "      "    "
Chopin: and then only if played by Michelangeli

And I'm not so sure I agree about Satie. I have Ciccolini's set on EMI, and there is some interesting stuff there beyond the Gymnopedies and Gnossienes.

[Catison]

Copland: not even sure I need one CD
Britten:     "      "     "    "   "      "    "

Ahhh.  I hope you know what you are missing with Copland.  Its not all ponies and cowboys.  And Britten.  His War Requiem is on two CDs!  To be honest, I haven't heard this piece yet.  I am saving it for a rainy day, but I trust it is an excellent work.

[orbital]

VW as in RVW? Seriously?

Two symphonies (I think Nos 4 &6  ) + 2 Fantasias and Lark
The symphonies really did not pique my interest at all and that's what he is known if I'm not mistaken

[Larry Rinkel]

Haydn to me is the most repetitive composer ever. 104 symphonies, all in almost same format. So hearing the 94th then the 45th is already enough.

But the variety he achieves within the supposed formula is astonishing. I was listening to the op. 50 quartets this afternoon and was amazed by the wealth of invention.

[Larry Rinkel]

Chopin: and then only if played by Michelangeli

Now you're really get me riled up. 

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

Now you're really get me riled up. 

Well, put your pants back on and and close the curtains please!...

Considering that Michelangeli didn't record the nocturnes, I could perhaps justify an additional CD. Happy now? 

[Mark]

Britten:  not even sure I need one CD

<faints>

And I'm not so sure I agree about Satie. I have Ciccolini's set on EMI, and there is some interesting stuff there beyond the Gymnopedies and Gnossienes.

The disc I have goes way beyond these works. Far enough, in my estimation.

Two symphonies (I think Nos 4 &6  ) + 2 Fantasias and Lark
The symphonies really did not pique my interest at all and that's what he is known if I'm not mistaken

Explore some of his lesser-known stuff - it can be rewarding.

[Larry Rinkel]

Well, put your pants back on and and close the curtains please!...

Considering that Michelangeli didn't record the nocturnes, I could perhaps justify an additional CD. Happy now? 

Your loss. I could care less.

[Grazioso]

Hindemith. His Mathis der Maler symphony is one of my very favorite classical works, but the other pieces I've heard from him either bore or annoy me (because of his glaring stylistic quirks).

Re: Hovhaness, I'd say he's a 2- or 3-disc composer