Your Favorite Composer for the Piano

[anasazi]

I didn't vote.  No Rachmaninoff, no Ravel, no Debussy.  Just not enough choices.

[Wanderer]

Limiting myself to the available choices, I'd go with Schumann and Liszt (between which, the vote goes to the underdog).

I also rate Alkan and Medtner most highly, both composing almost exclusively for the piano.

[val]

SCHUMANN 

[Mark]

I just nudged Chopin into the lead. But I wanted Debussy.

[Josquin des Prez]

(and the fact that he has managed to fool many generations of musicians so far).

He obviously didn't fool Wagner, and the reception of his music has always been a mixed bag, so you are definitely wrong about that.

[mn dave]

Even though I enjoy Schumann, I'm surprised he is any sort of competition for Chopin.

[Don]

Even though I enjoy Schumann, I'm surprised he is any sort of competition for Chopin.

I'm also surprised - but pleased.

[DavidRoss]

Even though I enjoy Schumann, I'm surprised he is any sort of competition for Chopin.

Well, the following opinion may just be ignorant drivel on my part--in which case legions of GMGers will no doubt pounce to set me straight--but Chopin seems just a bit on the precious side to me, whereas Schumann is a bit more manly.

I probably just need to listen to more Chopin.  Every time I do I'm reminded why people regard him as great, but I'm rarely interested in coming back for more.

[mn dave]

Well, the following opinion may just be ignorant drivel on my part--in which case legions of GMGers will no doubt pounce to set me straight--but Chopin seems just a bit on the precious side to me, whereas Schumann is a bit more manly.

I probably just need to listen to more Chopin.  Every time I do I'm reminded why people regard him as great, but I'm rarely interested in coming back for more.

You bastard.





[Edit: I don't think testosterone levels factor into my enjoyment of music.]

[Que]

Beethoven, closely followed by Schubert.

Q

[hjonkers]

With the Variations Sérieuses tolling in my head for weeks now, and because he's so underrated, my vote is going to Mendelssohn. I'm not sure any other composer wrote such eminently pianistic music.

[Ten thumbs]

Beethoven, closely followed by Schubert.

Q

As the question was 'favorite composer' this is fair enough. Whilst these composers wrote great piano music, I didn't mention them (or Bach and Mozart) because I was thinking of the piano as the instrument stands now. In Beethoven's day this was relatively new. He certainly used its power but not the full range of its possibilities. Schubert showed a mastery of its tonal values especially in his songs. The extension of musical expression on the piano was begun by Weber and Hummel but it was left to the next generation to exploit it to the full. This does not detract in the least from earlier composers, it is merely an accident of history.

[Don]

The voting has closed, and I'm rather surprised at the results.  I thought Chopin would be at the top with both Schumann and Liszt close behind.  That Liszt barely had more votes than Mendelssohn was a result I never would have dreamed; after all, Mendelssohn is not best known for his piano works.

[ezodisy]

The voting has closed

The voting has now reopened with ezodisy pushing Shoppin' level with Shoeman. I would take Rachmaninoff, Albeniz and Satie before Liszt and Mendelssohn, with a bottle of scotch whisky replacing all 5.

[Don]

The voting has now reopened with ezodisy pushing Shoppin' level with Shoeman. I would take Rachmaninoff, Albeniz and Satie before Liszt and Mendelssohn, with a bottle of scotch whisky replacing all 5.

Rachmaninoff's worth at least 2 bottles.

[ezodisy]

Rachmaninoff's worth at least 2 bottles.

You don't have to twist my arm to pick up a second bottle

This should put the name argument to bed

[imperfection]

Chopin, easily Chopin.

[Ten thumbs]

Mendelssohn suffers from the popular delusion that sad music is somehow superior to cheerful music. Once you've rid yourself of this bullshit, Mendelssohn comes out pretty well.

[springrite]

For twenty years, I'd say Schumann. But for the past few years, it has been Medtner.

[ezodisy]

Mendelssohn suffers from the popular delusion that sad music is somehow superior to cheerful music. Once you've rid yourself of this bullshit, Mendelssohn comes out pretty well.

I wouldn't call it bullshit, just a modern appreciation of classical music