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The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => The Polling Station => Topic started by: Henk on October 18, 2013, 10:16:50 AM

Title: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Henk on October 18, 2013, 10:16:50 AM
I feel like it's a task for humanity, or maybe not for humanity, but for others like us, that we are searching for beauty in music (according to knowledge theoricean Arnold Cornelis, beauty is like an immune system that protect us against an ugly world). How do you feel about this?

I need to listen to so much music yet, much of my collection, maybe more than the half of it I haven't even listened to seriously (well concentrated and with effort listening to the music). One advantage: I don't need to buy much recordings any more.

So it's a challenge for me to make a list of 10 favorite works that I know now, it's not an easy task because I know yet very little music well enough to do so. So my list comes later.
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Sammy on October 18, 2013, 10:30:47 AM
Bach - Well Tempered Clavier
Handel - Harpsichord Suite HWV 430
Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 29 "Hammerklavier"
Brahms - Handel Variations
Schumann - Davidsbundlertanze
Myaskovsky - Violin Concerto
Weinberg - Violin Concerto
Chopin - Op. 28 Preludes
Mozart - Great Mass in C minor
Shostakovich - Op. 87 Preludes and Fugues
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: kyjo on October 18, 2013, 11:11:29 AM
Rachmaninov: PC no. 3
Tchaikovsky: Symphony no. 6
Mahler: Symphony no. 2
Sibelius: Symphony no. 2
Shostakovich: Symphony no. 5
Bruckner: Symphony no. 9
Holst: The Planets
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe
Elgar: Symphony no. 2
Braga Santos: Symphony no. 4
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: DavidW on October 18, 2013, 11:40:36 AM
Quote from: Henk on October 18, 2013, 10:16:50 AM
I feel like it's a task for humanity, or maybe not for humanity, but for others like us, that we are searching for beauty in music (according to knowledge theoricean Arnold Cornelis, beauty is like an immune system that protect us against an ugly world). How do you feel about this?

Music brings me peace of mind, if only for a short time.
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: mahler10th on October 18, 2013, 11:52:20 AM
Atterberg - Symphony 2
Rott - Symphony 1
Schubert SQ - 'Death and the Maiden'
Bruckner 9
Stravinsky - 'The Firebird'
Shostakovich - Symphony 11
Elgar - Sospiri
Rautavaara - 'Angels and Visitations'
Goldmark - 'Rustic Wedding'
Strauss (R) - Alpine Symphony
Sibelius - Tapiola (esp. under Berglund + HPO)

***groan***

No surprises whatsoever.
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Mirror Image on October 18, 2013, 05:46:56 PM
Here goes nothing...

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8
Hartmann: Symphonische Hymnen
Schnittke: Viola Concerto
Ravel: Piano Concerto for left-hand
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5
Bartok: The Miraculous Mandarin
Villa-Lobos: Choros No. 6
Szymanowski: Symphony No. 3 'Song of the Night'
Honegger: Symphony No. 3 'Liturgique'
Martinu: Symphony No. 4
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: kyjo on October 18, 2013, 05:54:21 PM
Quote from: James on October 18, 2013, 10:47:34 AM
JS Bach - Dona nobis pacem
Wagner - Parsifal Orchestral Prelude
Strauss - Four Last Songs
Fauré - Piano Nocturne #13
Debussy - Sonata for flute, viola and harp
Ravel - String Quartet
Schoenberg - Chamber Symphony #1
Webern - Symphonie op. 21
Bartók - Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta
Stravinsky - Symphonies of Wind Instruments
Ligeti - Melodien
Stockhausen - Kontakte


I imagine much restraint was required to only list one Stockhausen work, James! ;)
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: amw on October 18, 2013, 06:44:48 PM
Bach - Well-Tempered Clavier Book II
Beethoven - String Quartet No. 12, Op. 127
Schumann - Kreisleriana
Schubert - String Quintet D 956 (or Piano Sonata D 960)
Chopin - Polonaise-Fantaisie
Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 27, KV 595
Brahms - String Sextet No. 2, Op. 36 (or perhaps Cello Sonata Op. 38)
Bartók - Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta (or String Quartet No. 3)
Stravinsky - Requiem Canticles
Finnissy - Verdi Transcriptions (or North American Spirituals) / Grisey - Les espaces acoustiques / Kagel - Musik für Renaissance-Instrumente / Nono - La lontananza

I can't pick between the last 4 or so, and I'm somewhat annoyed at having to leave out Dvořák, Haydn, Medtner, Webern and Xenakis.
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Sammy on October 18, 2013, 06:49:40 PM
Quote from: amw on October 18, 2013, 06:44:48 PM
Bach - Well-Tempered Clavier Book II

Why only Book II?
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: DavidW on October 18, 2013, 06:57:05 PM
Bach Cantata bwv 82
Beethoven Archduke Trio
Schubert String Quintet
Brahms Piano Concerto #2
Handel Messiah
Haydn Nelson Mass
Mahler Symphony #9
Mendelssohn String Quintet #2
Dvorak Symphony #9
Shostakovich String Quartet #8
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: amw on October 18, 2013, 07:06:12 PM
Quote from: Sammy on October 18, 2013, 06:49:40 PM
Why only Book II?

If we can consider both books to be part of the same "work" then the point is moot. As an overall achievement I think II outshines I in most respects, in the sense that Angel Falls is slightly higher than Yosemite, so that's the one I'd pick if I had to choose between them.
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Trout on October 18, 2013, 07:46:43 PM
Bach: St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244
Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F major, op. 98 "Pastoral"
Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie
Stravinsky: Le Sacre du Printemps
Brahms: Clarinet Quintet in B minor, op. 115
Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 in C minor
Adams: The Dharma at Big Sur
Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Ives: Symphony No. 4
Ligeti: Musica Ricercata

with Wagner, R Strauss, Atterberg, Mozart, and Finzi bubbling under.
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: vandermolen on October 19, 2013, 07:00:12 AM
Difficult, but here goes:

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No 6
Miaskovsky: Symphony No 6
Bruckner: Symphony No 9
Braga Santos: Symphony No 4
Moeran: Symphony
Bax: Symphony No 3
Patrick Hadley: The Trees so High
Shostakovich: Symphony No 4
Walton: Symphony No 1
Copland: Symphony No 3

(+ Sibelius: Tapiola)
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Brahmsian on October 19, 2013, 07:06:47 AM
Bach - Cello Suite No. 6 in D major
Beethoven - String Quartet No. 15 in A minor
Bruckner - Symphony No. 7 in E major
Brahms - Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor
Schubert - String Quintet in C major
Mozart - Gran Partita Serenade
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 8
Berlioz - Requiem
Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake
Prokofiev - Romeo and Juliet

Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: vandermolen on October 19, 2013, 08:12:56 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on October 18, 2013, 05:46:56 PM
Here goes nothing...

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8
Hartmann: Symphonische Hymnen
Schnittke: Viola Concerto
Ravel: Piano Concerto for left-hand
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5
Bartok: The Miraculous Mandarin
Villa-Lobos: Choros No. 6
Szymanowski: Symphony No. 3 'Song of the Night'
Honegger: Symphony No. 3 'Liturgique'
Martinu: Symphony No. 4


Have ordered the Schnitke Viola Concerto (Regis) on the strength of this. Interesting choices. I should have included the Honegger in my own list. I increasingly like his Symphony No. 4 as well.
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: DavidW on October 19, 2013, 11:50:49 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on October 19, 2013, 08:12:56 AM

Have ordered the Schnitke Viola Concerto (Regis) on the strength of this.

You won't regret it!
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: DaveF on October 19, 2013, 01:02:13 PM
This thread is very close in conception to the long-running (61 years so far) BBC radio programme Desert Island Discs, which will be familiar to all UK members - celebrity guest talks about his/her life and is required to choose 8 "records" to take to a desert island, plus a book (the scripture of your chosen religion and the complete works of Shakespeare are already provided) and a luxury (something of no practical value, especially of no escaping-from-desert-island value).  What constitutes a "record" has never been precisely defined - at least not to the satisfaction of a nit-picker like me - but I think The Ring or Licht probably count as more than one.

So, would anyone consider adding the book and the luxury to their 10, or 8 pieces?

DF
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: North Star on October 19, 2013, 01:19:22 PM
Ravel: Piano Trio
Janacek: String Quartet no. 2
Chopin: Mazurkas, Op. 30 (just about any of opus number, really)
Sibelius: Tapiola
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto no. 2
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8
Berlioz: Harold en Italie
Bartók: Out of Doors
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 29, Op. 106 'Hammerklavier'
Bach: Clavier-Übung III
Schubert: String Quartet No. 15 in G major, D. 887

Quote from: DaveF on October 19, 2013, 01:02:13 PM
This thread is very close in conception to the long-running (61 years so far) BBC radio programme Desert Island Discs, which will be familiar to all UK members - celebrity guest talks about his/her life and is required to choose 8 "records" to take to a desert island, plus a book (the scripture of your chosen religion and the complete works of Shakespeare are already provided) and a luxury (something of no practical value, especially of no escaping-from-desert-island value).  What constitutes a "record" has never been precisely defined - at least not to the satisfaction of a nit-picker like me - but I think The Ring or Licht probably count as more than one.

So, would anyone consider adding the book and the luxury to their 10, or 8 pieces?

DF
I'd like to have complete Bach already there, like the Shakespeare.. And could I say that my religion is, e.g., Edgar Allan Poe?  ::)

In any case:
Book: The Complete Calvin & Hobbes
Luxury item: a speedboat..
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: DaveF on October 19, 2013, 01:32:20 PM
Quote from: North Star on October 19, 2013, 01:19:22 PM
Luxury item: a speedboat..

I'm not sure that quite obeys the rule about being of no use to help you escape from the island...

But the complete Bach is a splendid idea (I assume you mean the scores).  "Book" is as undefined an idea as "record" is on this programme, since someone recently chose the complete works of Dickens, which is, er, lots of books.
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: North Star on October 19, 2013, 01:53:47 PM
Quote from: DaveF on October 19, 2013, 01:32:20 PM
I'm not sure that quite obeys the rule about being of no use to help you escape from the island...

But the complete Bach is a splendid idea (I assume you mean the scores).  "Book" is as undefined an idea as "record" is on this programme, since someone recently chose the complete works of Dickens, which is, er, lots of books.
Ah yes, I read hastily. A CD player, in that case, then (assuming there is some mysterious source of electricity...)
I would prefer a decent set of recordings, though - seeing that we get the greatest achievement in literary, why not in music. And my score-reading is very elementary indeed.
We ought to get to choose a movie, too, and a painting (or perhaps some book with quality reproductions) and a photo book (Atget automatically included) and...  :))
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Sammy on October 19, 2013, 02:15:59 PM
Quote from: DaveF on October 19, 2013, 01:32:20 PM
I'm not sure that quite obeys the rule about being of no use to help you escape from the island...

Hey, you're the one who requested a breaking of the rules by including books and luxury items. :P
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: DavidW on October 19, 2013, 02:40:59 PM
A cell tower for my luxury item provided that I don't use it to get help. Just use the connection to waste time on the forum. :P 
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: vandermolen on October 20, 2013, 03:56:07 AM
Quote from: DavidW on October 19, 2013, 11:50:49 AM
You won't regret it!

Thank you David!  :)
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: vandermolen on October 20, 2013, 04:01:58 AM
Quote from: DaveF on October 19, 2013, 01:02:13 PM
This thread is very close in conception to the long-running (61 years so far) BBC radio programme Desert Island Discs, which will be familiar to all UK members - celebrity guest talks about his/her life and is required to choose 8 "records" to take to a desert island, plus a book (the scripture of your chosen religion and the complete works of Shakespeare are already provided) and a luxury (something of no practical value, especially of no escaping-from-desert-island value).  What constitutes a "record" has never been precisely defined - at least not to the satisfaction of a nit-picker like me - but I think The Ring or Licht probably count as more than one.

So, would anyone consider adding the book and the luxury to their 10, or 8 pieces?

DF


Yes, the Desert Island Discs idea occurred to me as well ( I was once actually mentioned on the programme  :P)

My book would be Le Petit Prince (in English  ::)) by Antoine de Saint-Exupery which I can read over and over again.

As for a luxury, well maybe my pipe with a large supply of tobacco ( I am not allowed to smoke it at home so now would be my big chance).


Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: mc ukrneal on October 20, 2013, 04:05:48 AM
Luxury item - easy- lifetime supply of toilet paper! :)
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: North Star on October 20, 2013, 06:41:29 AM
Luxury item: Computer with Internet & decent speakers (only used for reading books, listening to music on Spotify, NML, etc, and not for escaping)
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: DavidW on October 20, 2013, 06:50:49 AM
Quote from: mc ukrneal on October 20, 2013, 04:05:48 AM
Luxury item - easy- lifetime supply of toilet paper! :)

That's a clever answer!
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Papy Oli on October 20, 2013, 06:54:28 AM
Beethoven - Sonata No.4 Op.7
Bruckner - Symphony No.8
Chopin - Ballade No.1
Loewe - Edward or Erlkonig
Mahler - Symphony No.2
Part - Kanon Pokajanen
Rameau - Le Rappel des oiseaux
Satie - Gymnopedies
Scarlatti - any of the keyboard sonatas really
Tallis - Salve Intemerata

Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: DaveF on October 20, 2013, 10:51:38 AM
Quote from: Sammy on October 19, 2013, 02:15:59 PM
Hey, you're the one who requested a breaking of the rules by including books and luxury items. :P

I wasn't breaking the rules  :o; I was merely... adding a few more.  Desert Island Discs is such an institution in the UK, it was impossible not to make the connection.  But I'd forgotten about the cruellest rule of all: at the end you are asked to choose just one of your eight discs to keep.

But since I do seem to have derailed the thread slightly, here goes with my own 10 (plus book, plus luxury, plus favourite one).  In date rather than preference order, and trying to get a good spread of different genres:

Browne: Stabat Mater - Taverner Consort
Byrd: The Quadran Pavan & Galliard - Davitt Moroney
Bach: Singet dem Herrn - Knabenchor Hannover/Hilliard Ensemble/London Baroque
Haydn: Symphony no.94 - Concertgebouw/Davis
Beethoven: String quartet Op.130/133 - Lindsays
Weber: Der Freischütz - Kleiber
Debussy: Violin sonata - Grumiaux/Hajdu
Nielsen: Flute Concerto - Galway
Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms - Westminster Cathedral/City of London Sinfonia/O'Donnell
Nick Drake: From the Morning

Book: some comprehensive poetry anthology such as the New Oxford Book of English Verse.
Luxury: guitar, plus stack of music ranging from elementary to advanced.
One disc to keep: John Browne.

Quote from: vandermolen on October 20, 2013, 04:01:58 AM
Yes, the Desert Island Discs idea occurred to me as well ( I was once actually mentioned on the programme  :P)

Do you want to tell us which one, since UK users can listen online to any episode dating back to I don't know when - 30 years or more?  (My original post was wrong; it's been going for 71 years, not 61.)

DF
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: vandermolen on October 21, 2013, 11:28:21 AM
Quote from: DaveF on October 20, 2013, 10:51:38 AM


Do you want to tell us which one, since UK users can listen online to any episode dating back to I don't know when - 30 years or more?  (My original post was wrong; it's been going for 71 years, not 61.)

DF

Yes, sure. It was the one featuring Anthony Julius whom I was at school with. I get a couple of mentions as a 17 year old pipe smoking fogey, sitting around with Anthony in my parent's flat in Earl's Court listening to Vaughan Williams.
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: madaboutmahler on October 29, 2013, 06:31:37 AM
Mahler 7
Elgar 2
Schnittke Faust Cantata
Ravel La Valse
Strauss Mondscheinmusik from Capriccio
Stravinsky Rite of Spring
Shostakovich 5
Rachmaninov PC 3
Rimsky Korsakov Scheherezade
Dvorak Cello Concerto
Karlowicz Episodes at a Masquerade
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: North Star on October 29, 2013, 06:35:20 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on October 29, 2013, 06:31:37 AM
Mahler 7
Elgar 2
Schnittke Faust Cantata
Ravel La Valse
Strauss Mondscheinmusik from Capriccio
Stravinsky Rite of Spring
Shostakovich 5
Rachmaninov PC 3
Rimsky Korsakov Scheherezade
Dvorak Cello Concerto
Karlowicz Episodes at a Masquerade
Nice list, Daniel - but this isn't a kyjo thread, and you have 11 items there. ;)
Of course, you could choose to have the score of one of them as the luxury item..
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Lisztianwagner on October 29, 2013, 10:20:24 AM
Wagner Der Ring des Nibelungen
Beethoven Symphony No.9
Mahler Symphony No.6
Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No.2
Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Holst The Planets
Tchaikovsky Symphony No.6
Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio espagnol
Ravel La Valse
Strauss Eine Alpensinfonie
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Karl Henning on October 29, 2013, 10:23:05 AM
Ilaria! Liszt is down to no. 4?!  ;)
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Lisztianwagner on October 29, 2013, 10:31:16 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on October 29, 2013, 10:23:05 AM
Ilaria! Liszt is down to no. 4?!  ;)

Never! ;) I didn't rank them in a particular order.......
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Karl Henning on October 29, 2013, 10:41:46 AM
Oh, all right, then  :)
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: kyjo on October 29, 2013, 05:10:32 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on October 29, 2013, 06:31:37 AM
Mahler 7
Elgar 2
Schnittke Faust Cantata
Ravel La Valse
Strauss Mondscheinmusik from Capriccio
Stravinsky Rite of Spring
Shostakovich 5
Rachmaninov PC 3
Rimsky Korsakov Scheherezade
Dvorak Cello Concerto
Karlowicz Episodes at a Masquerade

Cool, Daniel! Three matches on our lists :)
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on May 23, 2014, 11:48:11 AM
1. Wagner: Ring
2. Beethoven: String quartet 14 op. 131
3. Brahms: String quartet 3 op. 67
4. Sibelius: Pohjola's daughter op. 49
5. Rachmaninov: The Rock
6. Richard Strauss: Alpensinfonie
7. Schubert: String quartet 14
8. Bruckner: Symphony 6
9. Tchaikovsky: Sleeping Beauty
10. Verdi: Aida
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Minor Key on May 17, 2015, 04:17:06 PM
My ten:
Mahler Symphony 9
Sibelius Symphony 7
Tchaikovsky Symphony 6
Shostakovich Symphony 10
Bruckner Symphony 8
Dvorak Symphony 9
Beethoven Symphony 9
Mozart Symphony 40
Schubert Symphony 8
Brahms Symphony 4

And I love the "desert island discs"! My book would be War and Peace, and luxury item.....it's hard to argue with toilet paper.
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: springrite on May 17, 2015, 05:05:56 PM
Bach Goldberg Variations
Mahler Symphony #9
Brian Symphony #10
Beethoven Sonata Op111
Feldman For Philip Guston
Rubbra Symphony #3
Schubert Sonata in G
Mozart Clarinet Quintet
Brahms Symphony #4
Medtner Sonata #1
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on November 07, 2016, 06:12:03 AM
Updated list (warning: lots of operas coming):

Wagner: Ring
Beethoven: Pastoral symphony
Debussy: Pelléas
R. Strauss: Elektra
Rachmaninoff: Miserly knight
Berlioz: Benvenuto Cellini
Puccini: La fanciulla del West
Verdi: Simon Boccanegra
Ravel: Miroirs
Sibelius: Pohjola's daughter

Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Karl Henning on November 07, 2016, 06:15:57 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on October 19, 2013, 07:00:12 AM
Difficult, but here goes:

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No 6
Miaskovsky: Symphony No 6
Bruckner: Symphony No 9
Braga Santos: Symphony No 4
Moeran: Symphony
Bax: Symphony No 3
Patrick Hadley: The Trees so High
Shostakovich: Symphony No 4
Walton: Symphony No 1
Copland: Symphony No 3

(+ Sibelius: Tapiola)

Of the pieces that I know, great list, Jeffrey!
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Mirror Image on November 07, 2016, 06:39:17 AM
I'm going to try this again:

Mahler: Symphony No. 3
Sibelius: Symphony No. 4
Nielsen: Symphony No. 3, "Sinfonia espansiva"
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5
Bruckner: Symphony No. 8
Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1
Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2
Dvorak: Symphony No. 4
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G
Elgar: Symphony No. 2
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Karl Henning on November 07, 2016, 06:50:45 AM
All right! I'll play!

Prokofiev, Romeo & Juliet
Stravinsky, Symphonies of Wind Instruments
Rakhmaninov, Всенощное бдѣніе
Hindemith, Konzertmusik for strings and brass, Op.50
Schoenberg, Serenade, Op.24
Sibelius, Symphony № 6
Berlioz, Les Troyens
Shostakovich, Preludes & Fugues, Op.87
Wuorinen, Mass for the Restoration of St Luke's
Vaughan Williams, A Pastoral Symphony
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Karl Henning on November 07, 2016, 06:51:10 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on November 07, 2016, 06:39:17 AM
I'm going to try this again:

Mahler: Symphony No. 3
Sibelius: Symphony No. 4
Nielsen: Symphony No. 3, "Sinfonia espansiva"
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5
Bruckner: Symphony No. 8
Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No. 1
Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2
Dvorak: Symphony No. 4
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G
Elgar: Symphony No. 2


Dadgummit, I left Nielsen out . . . .
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Karl Henning on November 07, 2016, 06:54:46 AM
Quote from: sanantonio on November 07, 2016, 06:51:48 AM
Brahms Clarinet Trio No. 1, Op. 114

Is there another?

And, goldarnit, why do I not yet know this piece?
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Mirror Image on November 07, 2016, 06:56:10 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on November 07, 2016, 06:51:10 AM
Dadgummit, I left Nielsen out . . . .

:P
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Wanderer on November 07, 2016, 09:26:46 AM
Beethoven: Missa Solemnis
Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 3
Sibelius: Symphony No. 7
Bruckner: Symphony No. 5
Ravel: Piano Concerto in D (for the left hand)
Stravinsky: Les noces
Schreker: Die Gezeichneten
Messiaen: Turangalîla-Symphonie
Skalkottas: Piano Concerto No. 2
Berg: Drei Orchesterstücke, op. 6

[10 more]

Berlioz: Grande messe des morts
Haydn: Die Schöpfung
Alkan: Grand duo concertant, op. 21
Medtner: Second Improvisation, op. 47
Schumann: Introduction & Allegro concertante, op. 134
Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin
Janáček: Jenůfa
Mahler: Symphony No. 8
R. Strauss: Deutsche Motette
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: arpeggio on December 04, 2016, 05:27:54 PM
The problem that I always had with threads like this is that it is very difficult for me to answer them.  Between my tiepos and puur speelink if can get quick comical.

Like my all time favorite work is Walton's Belshazzard's Feets.

By the leeks of Babylon E I E I O.
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on December 04, 2016, 05:34:24 PM
I will take my top 10 composers (for today) and do the same that thatfabulsoujdalskjflien has done

Boulez: Répons
Pintscher: Sonic Eclipse
Saariaho: Orion
Bruckner: Symphony no. 7
Wagner: Tristan und Isolde
Neuwirth: Eleanor
Steen-Andersen: Double Up
Oliveros: Sound Geometries
Coates: String Quartet no. 7
Cage: Ryoanji

but another list where I simply just think of works I really love firstly and then choose one work per composer would look like this:

Répons (Boulez)
Comic Sense (Gadenstätter)
Eleanor (Neuwirth)
Sonic Eclipse (Pintscher)
Ich und du (Mundry)
Bliss (Dean)
Sonatas for String Quartet (Ferneyhough)
Viderunt Omnes (Perotin)
Sound Geometries (Oliveros)
Sparking Orbit (Fujikura)
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: SharpEleventh on December 05, 2016, 06:02:50 AM
Mozart - Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola
Wagner - Tristan und Isolde
Mahler - Symphony No. 6
Rachmaninoff - Symphony No. 2
Bruckner - Symphony No. 9
Richard Strauss - Death and Transfiguration
Debussy - L'isle Joyeuse
Sibelius - Symphony No. 7
Poulenc - Concerto for (single) piano
Scriabin - Piano Sonata No. 5

Maybe.
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Mirror Image on December 05, 2016, 02:53:31 PM
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on December 05, 2016, 02:48:50 PM
I think, if I was forced to pick one work which I think is the greatest work of all time I would choose Eclairs De Sur L'au-dela by Messiaen.

Boy, that's a ridiculous statement! I admire your courage, though. :)
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Mahlerian on December 05, 2016, 03:29:13 PM
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on December 05, 2016, 03:08:47 PM
It wasn't stated correctly, I meant to say "my favourite work of all time", but I'd need someone to have a gun to my head to make that decision  :-\
If there is a greatest piece of music of all time at all, it's either "I want to hold your hand" by the Beatles or even greater, Louie Louie.  :P

I should probably give the internet a rest for a few weeks  :-[

Computer analysis has revealed that Smells Like Teen Spirit is the most iconic song of all time.

http://www.spin.com/2015/09/nirvana-smells-like-teen-spirit-most-iconic-song-ever-cant-argue-with-science/
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: SymphonicAddict on March 06, 2017, 07:47:24 PM
I will try with these choices (in no order):

Janácek: Glagolitic Mass
Rachmaninov: The Bells
Beethoven: Missa Solemnis
Bruckner: 7th symphony
Strauss: An Alpine Symphony
Schubert: String quintet
Tchaikovsky: Piano trio
Ravel: Piano concerto for the left hand
Brahms: Clarinet quintet
Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Monsieur Croche on March 06, 2017, 11:40:02 PM
Quote from: Sammy on October 18, 2013, 06:49:40 PM
Why only Book II?

for me, it is sooo much more polished and fluid (far less "boxy" themes and rhythms) than book I.  Book II was written decades after book I, and the composer had developed in skills quite a bit over those decades, and it shows in Book II.

Best regards.
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Jo498 on March 07, 2017, 03:18:34 AM
As someone who can neither play the piano nor knows anything about composition I'd say that as a listener the "highs" of book 1 are for me among the best pieces in either books (e.g. P&F in  c sharp minor, b minor, prelude in E flat major and minor and a few more, mostly minor mode fugues) and I probably prefer them to almost anything from book II but the "average" or median quality is higher in book II. There is also the difference that almost all the preludes of book II are more elaborate pieces, there is not a single "arpeggio"-Prelude left, if I am not mistaken.
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Karl Henning on March 07, 2017, 03:51:27 AM
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on March 06, 2017, 07:47:24 PM
Tchaikovsky: Piano trio

An especially fine choice!
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Zeus on March 07, 2017, 12:17:11 PM
Quote from: Mahlerian on December 05, 2016, 03:29:13 PM
Computer analysis has revealed that Smells Like Teen Spirit is the most iconic song of all time.

http://www.spin.com/2015/09/nirvana-smells-like-teen-spirit-most-iconic-song-ever-cant-argue-with-science/ (http://www.spin.com/2015/09/nirvana-smells-like-teen-spirit-most-iconic-song-ever-cant-argue-with-science/)


Tell that computer it still has to pick nine more favorites.   :D
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: SymphonicAddict on September 30, 2017, 05:48:54 PM
Quote from: α | ì Æ ñ on September 29, 2017, 08:28:05 PM

That is a very strong contender for me and I reluctantly left it off, have I made a mistake?   :laugh:




and Faure's Requiem  :-[


DON'T MAKE ME DO THIS!!!!  >:D >:D

I understand you. It's kind of frustrating  :D
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: milk on November 11, 2017, 03:42:44 AM
Fudging the rules in all sorts of ways, I must be mad!

Bach WTC 
Feldman Bunita Marcus
Debussy Arabesques
Froberger FbWV 620
Mendelssohn Songs Without Words
Schubert Die Schone Mullerin
Schumann 5 Stucke Im Volkston
Satie Gymnopedie
Cage Sonatas for Prepared piano
Riley: The Harp of New Albion
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: Mirror Image on November 15, 2017, 07:51:12 PM
I'll try my hand at this again (in no particular order):

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 in C major, "Leningrad", Op. 60
Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5
Sibelius: The Oceanides, Op. 73
Nielsen: Symphony No. 3 "Sinfonia Espansiva", Op. 27, FS 60
Martinů: Musique de Chambre No. 1 "Les fêtes nocturnes", H 376
Dvořák: The Wild Dove Op. 110, B. 198
Ives: 'Holidays' Symphony
Szymanowski: Litany to the Virgin Mary, Op. 59

Of course, lists like these are always subject to change.
Title: Re: Top 10 favorite works, one by each composer
Post by: motoboy on November 28, 2017, 05:04:04 AM
Mahler: Symphony 2
Wagner: Ring
Langgaard: Symphony 7
Beethoven: Symphony 7
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Shostakovich: String Quartet 8
Bruckner: Symphony 9
Cooke: Mahler 10 performing edition (see how sneaky I am?)
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Suite
Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante