GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => Classical Music for Beginners => Topic started by: mn dave on November 09, 2008, 07:22:04 AM

Title: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: mn dave on November 09, 2008, 07:22:04 AM
From the folks who brought you the 100 Greatest Symphonies!

1. Ludwig Van Beethoven - 1770-1827
  2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - 1756-1791
  3. Johann Sebastian Bach - 1685-1750
  4. Richard Wagner - 1813-1883
  5. Joseph Haydn - 1732-1809
  6. Johannes Brahms - 1833-1897
  7. Franz Schubert - 1797-1828
  8. Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky - 1840-1893
  9. George Frideric Handel - 1685-1759
10. Igor Stravinsky - 1882-1971
11. Robert Schumann - 1810-1856
12. Frederic Chopin - 1810-1849
13. Felix Mendelssohn - 1809-1847
14. Claude Debussy - 1862-1918
15. Franz Liszt - 1811-1886
16. Antonin Dvorak - 1841-1904
17. Giuseppe Verdi - 1813-1901
18. Gustav Mahler - 1860-1911
19. Hector Berlioz - 1803-1869
20. Antonio Vivaldi - 1678-1741
21. Richard Strauss - 1864-1949
22. Serge Prokofiev - 1891-1953
23. Dmitri Shostakovich - 1906-1975
24. Béla Bartók - 1881-1945
25. Anton Bruckner - 1824-1896
26. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina - 1525-1594
27. Claudio Monteverdi - 1567-1643
28. Jean Sibelius - 1865-1957
29. Maurice Ravel - 1875-1937
30. Ralph Vaughan Williams - 1872-1958
31. Modest Mussorgsky - 1839-1881
32. Giacomo Puccini - 1858-1924
33. Henry Purcell - 1659-1695
34. Gioacchino Rossini - 1792-1868
35. Edward Elgar - 1857-1934
36. Sergei Rachmaninoff - 1873-1943
37. Camille Saint-Saëns - 1835-1921
38. Josquin Des Prez - c.1440-1521
39. Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - 1844-1908
40. Carl Maria von Weber - 1786-1826
41. Jean-Philippe Rameau - 1683-1764
42. Jean-Baptiste Lully - 1632-1687
43. Gabriel Fauré - 1845-1924
44. Edvard Grieg - 1843-1907
45. Christoph Willibald Gluck - 1714-1787
46. Arnold Schoenberg - 1874-1951
47. Charles Ives - 1874-1954
48. Paul Hindemith - 1895-1963
49. Olivier Messiaen - 1908-1992
50. Aaron Copland - 1900-1990

   
51. Francois Couperin - 1668-1733
52. William Byrd - 1539-1623
53. Erik Satie - 1866-1925
54. Benjamin Britten - 1913-1976
55. Bedrick Smetana - 1824-1884
56. César Franck - 1822-1890
57. Alexander Nikolayevich Scriabin - 1872-1915
58. Georges Bizet - 1838-1875
59. Domenico Scarlatti - 1685-1757
60. Georg Philipp Telemann - 1681-1767
61. Anton Webern - 1883-1945
62. Roland de Lassus - 1532-1594
63. George Gershwin - 1898-1937
64. Gaetano Donizetti - 1797-1848
65. Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach - 1714-1788
66. Archangelo Corelli - 1653-1713
67. Thomas Tallis - 1505-1585
68. Jules Massenet - 1842-1912
69. Johann Strauss II - 1825-1899
70. Leos Janácek - 1854-1928
71. Guillaume de Machaut - 1300-1377
72. Alban Berg - 1885-1935
73. Alexander Borodin - 1833-1887
74. Vincenzo Bellini - 1801-1835
75. Charles Gounod - 1818-1893
76. Francis Poulenc - 1899-1963
77. Giovanni Gabrieli - 1554-1612
78. Pérotin - 1160-1225
79. Heinrich Schütz - 1585-1672
80. John Cage - 1912-1992
81. Giovanni Battista Pergolesi - 1710-1736
82. John Dowland - 1563-1626
83. Gustav Holst - 1874-1934
84. Dietrich Buxtehude - 1637-1707
85. Ottorino Respighi - 1879-1936
86. Guillaume Dufay - 1400-1474
87. Hugo Wolf - 1860-1903
88. Carl Nielsen - 1865-1931
89. William Walton - 1902-1983
90. Darius Milhaud - 1892-1974
91. Orlando Gibbons - 1583-1625
92. Giacomo Meyerbeer - 1791-1864
93. Samuel Barber - 1910-1981
94. Tomás Luis de Victoria - 1549-1611
95. Léonin - 1135-1201
96. Manuel de Falla - 1876-1946
97. Hildegard von Bingen - 1098-1179
98. Mikhail Glinka - 1804-1857
99. Alexander Glazunov - 1865-1936
100. Don Carlo Gesualdo - 1566-1613 (http://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/pages/best-classic-comp.html)

**runs away**
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Brünnhilde forever on November 09, 2008, 07:43:35 AM
Another tedious opinion poll?  ???
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Opus106 on November 09, 2008, 07:49:08 AM
Strauss II comes before Berg! :D :D
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: mn dave on November 09, 2008, 07:50:53 AM
Quote from: Brünnhilde forever on November 09, 2008, 07:43:35 AM
Another tedious opinion poll?  ???

Oh dear me!  ::)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: mn dave on November 09, 2008, 07:52:07 AM
Quote from: opus67 on November 09, 2008, 07:49:08 AM
Strauss II comes before Berg! :D :D

The people have spoken!   0:)



>:D
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Opus106 on November 09, 2008, 07:55:44 AM
To the people:

(http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/funny-pictures-cat-thinks-you-are-stupid.jpg)

:D
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: drogulus on November 09, 2008, 07:59:45 AM

         
Elgar beats Schoenberg! The triumph of Fascism is complete!!
   
      (http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/2935/tobywt6.png) (http://imageshack.us)

     
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: mn dave on November 09, 2008, 08:08:33 AM
I'd be happy with 1 through 33.  ;D
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: The new erato on November 09, 2008, 09:12:16 AM
Not a bad list as such things go - but Liszt at 15?
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Norbeone on November 10, 2008, 06:18:10 AM
What a shite ist.



;D

::)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Dundonnell on November 10, 2008, 06:30:56 AM
Well that's a succinct appraisal ;D
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on November 10, 2008, 06:51:15 AM
Quote from: James on November 09, 2008, 10:32:01 AM
no surprise but LOTS of excess baggage on that list...

Such as?
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on November 10, 2008, 06:54:21 AM
Quote from: Norbeone on November 10, 2008, 06:18:10 AM
What a shite ist.



;D

::)

Actually, I don't think it's a shite ist at all. It recognizes there is music preceding Bach and following Ravel, and though there are a few dubious candidates as well as a few unfortunate omissions, it's about as good of its type (highly questionable in itself) as I've seen.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: The new erato on November 10, 2008, 07:22:41 AM
Quote from: Sforzando on November 10, 2008, 06:54:21 AM
Actually, I don't think it's a shite ist at all. It recognizes there is music preceding Bach and following Ravel, and though there are a few dubious candidates as well as a few unfortunate omissions, it's about as good of its type (highly questionable in itself) as I've seen.
My feelings exactly.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Dundonnell on November 10, 2008, 07:23:03 AM
Random comments then-

Schoenberg(46), Janacek(70) and Carl Nielsen(88)....all too low! Respighi(No.85) ahead of Nielsen??  Much as I love Respighi's music......!

Not included but should be- Honegger(much better composer than Milhaud(No.90), Martinu, and (even though I am not sympathetic to their music) Boulez, Carter and Lutoslawski

Hindemith too high at No.48....again, much as I admire Hindemith!

Walton lucky to make it at No. 89 over Tippett(not included)

Glazunov lucky to be in at No.99
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Dundonnell on November 10, 2008, 07:26:38 AM
Oh!....and Havergal Brian, of course ;D ;)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: mn dave on November 10, 2008, 07:30:49 AM
Quote from: Dundonnell on November 10, 2008, 07:23:03 AM
Random comments then-

Schoenberg(46), Janacek(70) and Carl Nielsen(88)....all too low! Respighi(No.85) ahead of Nielsen??  Much as I love Respighi's music......!

Not included but should be- Honegger(much better composer than Milhaud(No.90), Martinu, and (even though I am not sympathetic to their music) Boulez, Carter and Lutoslawski

Hindemith too high at No.48....again, much as I admire Hindemith!

Walton lucky to make it at No. 89 over Tippett(not included)

Glazunov lucky to be in at No.99

A GMG eccentric!  ;D

;)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Opus106 on November 10, 2008, 07:37:27 AM
Quote from: mn dave on November 10, 2008, 07:30:49 AM
A GMG eccentric!

That's like a tautology, isn't it?


*runs and hides behind Mr. Dave*  :D  ;)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: mn dave on November 10, 2008, 07:38:56 AM
Quote from: opus67 on November 10, 2008, 07:37:27 AM
That's like a tautology, isn't it?


*runs and hides behind Mr. Dave*  :D  ;)

Ha!  :D
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Kullervo on November 10, 2008, 07:45:43 AM
34. Gioacchino Rossini - 1792-1868

88. Carl Nielsen - 1865-1931

Ha.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Opus106 on November 10, 2008, 07:51:02 AM
Well, Rossini has composed more for Warner Bros. cartoons than Nielsen, indirectly influencing the life of many in the future to classical music.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: mn dave on November 10, 2008, 07:51:45 AM
Quote from: opus67 on November 10, 2008, 07:51:02 AM
Well, Rossini has composed more for Warner Bros. cartoons than Nielsen, indirectly influencing the life of many in the future to classical music.

Yes, Rossini is HUGE!
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Kullervo on November 10, 2008, 07:58:56 AM
Quote from: mn dave on November 10, 2008, 07:51:45 AM
Yes, Rossini is HUGE!

Well he could never eat just one chocolate eclair whenever the plate came around.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on November 10, 2008, 08:01:11 AM
Quote from: mn dave on November 10, 2008, 07:51:45 AM
Yes, Rossini is HUGE!

Rossini is a splendid composer. Seriously.

As for Dundonnell's changes, I would make most of 'em myself. Except to put Respighi at about #400, or maybe #398 if I'm feeling charitable. Havergal Brian - maybe in the top 1000.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: mn dave on November 10, 2008, 08:03:26 AM
Quote from: Sforzando on November 10, 2008, 08:01:11 AM
Rossini is a splendid composer. Seriously.

As for Dundonnell's changes, I would make most of 'em myself. Except to put Respighi at about #400, or maybe #398 if I'm feeling charitable. Havergal Brian - maybe in the top 1000.


I agree on Respighi. Does anyone actually enjoy his music?

I haven't heard enough Brian to have an opinion and I probably never will. Music for the chamber is my bag.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Dundonnell on November 10, 2008, 08:32:12 AM
Quote from: mn dave on November 10, 2008, 08:03:26 AM
I agree on Respighi. Does anyone actually enjoy his music?

I haven't heard enough Brian to have an opinion and I probably never will. Music for the chamber is my bag.

Did you say "does anyone actually enjoy (Respighi's) music?"...??

The answer is 'YES'. Lots of people enjoy Respighi-some of them live here ;D ;)  I am one! Rich, colourful, dramatic, exciting, sensuous...Respighi's music is all of these. He was a masterly orchestrator(both of his own and other people's music). He was respected-indeed revered-in Italian musical circles. He was highly influential.

Whether I would place him in the top 100 is another matter. He MIGHT creep in but certainly not ahead of Nielsen!!!!
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: The new erato on November 10, 2008, 09:05:05 AM
Quote from: mn dave on November 10, 2008, 08:03:26 AM
I agree on Respighi. Does anyone actually enjoy his music?
I do. Doesn't mean he does belong in the list.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: ChamberNut on November 10, 2008, 09:21:08 AM
There isn't anyway anyone can come up with a purely objective list of the greatest 100.  Impossible.  Therefore, I would say this list is as good as anything anyone else might come up with.

The names in particular that struck me as perhaps as a little high or a little low were the following:

Too low:

3.   Bach, JS (he should be # 1)
16. Dvorak
23. Shostakovich
56. Franck

Too high:

9.   Handel
32. Puccini
63. Gershwin
80. Cage
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: 71 dB on November 10, 2008, 10:11:34 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on November 10, 2008, 09:21:08 AM
Too high:

9.   Handel
32. Puccini

Not a fan of operas? If you were you'd understand the value of these composers.   :P
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: tr. pianist on November 10, 2008, 11:28:51 AM
James,
Some operas are a lots of fun. How about Mozart's operas. His love of life comes so clearly in his operas.
How about Rossine.
People can have fun in their lives.
I am off opera now myself. I love Bach very much.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: drogulus on November 10, 2008, 03:14:34 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on November 10, 2008, 09:21:08 AM
There isn't anyway anyone can come up with a purely objective list of the greatest 100. 

      You could make it a blue* list of 100 composers. :D Then it would be objectively blue and 100.

      You're right that you can't make an objective list of greatness without greatness being something that could be given an objective definition, so it didn't depend on anyone thinking so. Then you could make the list and not worry about what people thought about it, since it would be a statement of fact and not just an opinion. :P

      *For this purpose I think we can postpone the question of what blue objectively is and just use a definition like "blue is this color". >:D
 
     
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: greg on November 10, 2008, 07:14:02 PM
At least this list has some modernists and Schoenberg is on there......
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on November 11, 2008, 06:12:55 AM
Quote from: James on November 10, 2008, 02:17:06 PM
I get physically ill listening to that.  :P

You're assuming cause and effect.  :D
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Lethevich on November 11, 2008, 07:57:53 PM
(http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/3597/whathasbeenseenph7.jpg)

All hail the lunatic list!
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: tr. pianist on November 11, 2008, 10:49:35 PM
This is for people who don't like opera. Do you know Beethoven's Fidelio?
How about Katerina Izmailova by Shostakovich or Cunning little vixen by Yanacek. I recently heard Blue Beard's Castle by Barok and I liked it. How about Musirgsky's Boris Godunov?

There are such different operas in style and in content. It is difficult not to like all genre.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: mn dave on November 12, 2008, 05:02:15 AM
Quote from: Lethe on November 11, 2008, 07:57:53 PM
All hail the lunatic list!

Shirley, you jest, Sara.  ;D
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Dundonnell on November 12, 2008, 05:18:27 AM
Quote from: Lethe on November 11, 2008, 07:57:53 PM
(http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/3597/whathasbeenseenph7.jpg)

All hail the lunatic list!

That is a VERY scary photo ;D
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Dundonnell on November 12, 2008, 05:20:12 AM
Quote from: James on November 12, 2008, 05:15:24 AM
That's the only one I truly love as-a-whole, but it's more of a monodrama than an opera proper imo.

Fantastic work!

The scene where the door is opened and the whole of Bluebeard's kingdom is shown is absolutely magnificent :)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: karlhenning on November 12, 2008, 05:35:11 AM
Quote from: James on November 12, 2008, 05:15:24 AM
That's the only one I truly love as-a-whole, but it's more of a monodrama than an opera proper imo.

Monodrama is a strange description for a play with two characters.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: tr. pianist on November 12, 2008, 07:53:00 AM
what about Musirgsky opera like Boris Godunov or Chovanschina.
There are so many different approaches to opera. I don't like Puccini very much, but his Turandot is good.

How about Mondeverdi? He has good operas.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Enkhbat Natsagdorj on February 21, 2009, 02:52:21 AM
8. Tchaikovsky
14. Debussy

Wow, i like it
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Chrone on February 27, 2009, 04:30:26 PM
No Weill? Joplin? Or any living composer?

(http://failblog.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/fail-owned-impression-fail.jpg)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: drogulus on March 23, 2009, 07:59:52 PM
Quote from: mn dave on November 10, 2008, 08:03:26 AM
I agree on Respighi. Does anyone actually enjoy his music?



     I do. "Is there a reason I shouldn't?" [He asked blandly, knowing the sinister import of the question would be obvious...]

     I've heard more of his work than the Roman trilogy. Recently I've been listening to Belkis, Queen of Sheba, Vetrate di chiesa (Church Windows) and the Ballata delle Gnomidi (Dance of the Gnomes). I saw a performance of his cantata Lauda per la Natività del Signore (Laud to the Nativity). I enjoy all of this music though I admit it isn't earth-shakingly advanced. I might not have room for Respighi in a top 100 list, though he would make it into a 100 20th-century composers list fairly easily.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Wanderer on March 23, 2009, 10:52:30 PM
Quote from: Dundonnell on November 10, 2008, 08:32:12 AM
Did you say "does anyone actually enjoy (Respighi's) music?"...??

The answer is 'YES'. Lots of people enjoy Respighi-some of them live here ;D ;)  I am one! Rich, colourful, dramatic, exciting, sensuous...Respighi's music is all of these. He was a masterly orchestrator(both of his own and other people's music). He was respected-indeed revered-in Italian musical circles. He was highly influential.

A resounding yes from me, as well.


Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on November 12, 2008, 05:35:11 AM
Monodrama is a strange description for a play with two characters.

I was gonna say... ::)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: mc ukrneal on March 26, 2009, 07:20:33 AM
I wish these types of lists would at least be honest and say they are trying to give a broad cross-section of all composers. Here would be my changes:

Move to the end:
Bartock
Schoenberg (detest the music, understand the contribution)
Ives
Janacek
Berg
Resphigi

Delete:
Des Prez
Hindemith
Messiaen
Lassus
Machaut
Poulanc
Perotin
Cage
Milhaud
Leonin

Replace with:
Offenbach
Khachaturian
Coates
Grainger
Gliere
Minkus
Medtner
Lehar
Arensky
Stenhammar

Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Kullervo on March 26, 2009, 07:24:29 AM
Quote from: ukrneal on March 26, 2009, 07:20:33 AM
Coates

Gloria Coates? Ahaha, seriously?
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: mc ukrneal on March 26, 2009, 12:24:54 PM
Quote from: Corey on March 26, 2009, 07:24:29 AM
Gloria Coates? Ahaha, seriously?

Is there another one? I meant Eric Coates. Never met Gloria.  ;D
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Kullervo on March 26, 2009, 05:36:52 PM
Quote from: ukrneal on March 26, 2009, 12:24:54 PM
Is there another one? I meant Eric Coates. Never met Gloria.  ;D

Heh! It would have been strange if you disliked Schoenberg and Berg but somehow found Gloria Coates musical. ;D
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Sorin Eushayson on May 04, 2009, 03:04:00 PM
The top three look cool to me.  8)

However...

Handel, Mendelssohn, and Vivaldi behind Tchaikovsky and Wagner?  They must be mad!  Stark raving lunatics!  ;D
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: karlhenning on May 05, 2009, 05:20:31 AM
Mendelssohn's got to be behind Wagner.

I mean: Wagner said so!
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Sorin Eushayson on May 05, 2009, 09:40:46 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 05, 2009, 05:20:31 AM
Mendelssohn's got to be behind Wagner.

I mean: Wagner said so!

Wagner said a lot of other things too...  ::)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Franco on August 07, 2009, 10:13:42 AM
Quote from: James on November 10, 2008, 10:13:41 AM
Most Opera is a waste of time.  :-X

lol

I usually find myself disagreeing with you - but, this is the most disagree-worthy post so far.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: ChamberNut on August 19, 2009, 09:43:37 AM
Quote from: James on November 12, 2008, 05:15:24 AM
That's the only one I truly love as-a-whole, but it's more of a monodrama than an opera proper imo.

James!  I read this as, well....you know.  ;D
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Dr. Dread on August 19, 2009, 09:44:55 AM
Some of the composers on this list are quite good.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: karlhenning on August 19, 2009, 10:11:27 AM
No Henning on that list. It's not to be taken seriously.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: zamyrabyrd on August 19, 2009, 11:10:00 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 19, 2009, 10:11:27 AM
No Henning on that list. It's not to be taken seriously.

Subejct for new thread:
"Which musicians have the biggest egos--performers or composers?"
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: karlhenning on August 19, 2009, 12:06:16 PM
Now, wait just the one minute which picks cotton, ma chère.  I don't mind sharing space on the list with 99 others!
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: zamyrabyrd on August 19, 2009, 04:45:07 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 19, 2009, 12:06:16 PM
Now, wait just the one minute which picks cotton, ma chère.  I don't mind sharing space on the list with 99 others!

I wouldn't mind either as long as I'm not on the bottom of the list.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: ChamberNut on September 05, 2009, 04:31:01 PM
Could a case be made for Boccherini on this list?
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Saul on September 05, 2009, 05:41:38 PM
Wagner before Mendy?

Are you aight?
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on September 05, 2009, 06:29:45 PM
Quote from: Saul on September 05, 2009, 05:41:38 PM
Wagner before Mendy?

Are you aight?

I would put Wagner before Mendy and I'm 61.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Saul on September 05, 2009, 06:54:34 PM
Quote from: Sforzando on September 05, 2009, 06:29:45 PM
I would put Wagner before Mendy and I'm 61.

Well Mendelssohn composed great works from age 16 (octet)

Right your opposite...

Wagner by 16 was playing with his dolls...

Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: DavidW on September 06, 2009, 07:27:39 AM
Quote from: Saul on September 05, 2009, 06:54:34 PM
Well Mendelssohn composed great works from age 16 (octet)

Right your opposite...

Wagner by 16 was playing with his dolls...



Early bloomer doesn't make him greater dude. :)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Saul on September 06, 2009, 08:11:04 AM
Quote from: DavidW on September 06, 2009, 07:27:39 AM
Early bloomer doesn't make him greater dude. :)

L ::) ::) K into his later works...
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: DavidW on September 06, 2009, 08:16:32 AM
Quote from: Saul on September 06, 2009, 08:11:04 AM
L ::) ::) K into his later works...

I have, I'm not saying that Mendelssohn is not great, I'm saying that he's not great-er than Wagner.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Saul on September 06, 2009, 08:24:32 AM
Quote from: DavidW on September 06, 2009, 08:16:32 AM
I have, I'm not saying that Mendelssohn is not great, I'm saying that he's not great-er than Wagner.
Just one line from this enchanting music puts Wagner in the back seat of the composers' bus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2_ElZkGum4

Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on September 06, 2009, 12:46:52 PM
Quote from: Saul on September 06, 2009, 08:24:32 AM
Just one line from this enchanting music puts Wagner in the back seat of the composers' bus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2_ElZkGum4



I'm sure there's room for Mendelssohn on the roof.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Saul on September 06, 2009, 04:47:00 PM
Quote from: Sforzando on September 06, 2009, 12:46:52 PM
I'm sure there's room for Mendelssohn on the roof.

I know anyone would want to save himself from Wagner's stink...
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: MN Dave on September 10, 2009, 11:27:23 AM
The best thing Mendelssohn ever did was introduce Bach to the world, and for that we thank him.  0:)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Saul on September 16, 2009, 04:12:22 AM
That wasnt his best move...
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: karlhenning on September 16, 2009, 05:14:44 AM
Who's Mendelssohn?
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Saul on September 21, 2009, 04:53:00 AM
Yes, Karl.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Fortissimo on December 16, 2009, 02:29:57 PM
hmmm.  Pretty sure Brahms and Tchaikovsky should be much higher on the list (although they are pretty high as it is).  :)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: mikkeljs on December 28, 2009, 01:03:41 PM
Quote from: mn dave on November 09, 2008, 07:22:04 AM
From the folks who brought you the 100 Greatest Symphonies!

1. Ludwig Van Beethoven - 1770-1827
  2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - 1756-1791
  3. Johann Sebastian Bach - 1685-1750
  4. Richard Wagner - 1813-1883
  5. Joseph Haydn - 1732-1809
  6. Johannes Brahms - 1833-1897
  7. Franz Schubert - 1797-1828
  8. Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky - 1840-1893
  9. George Frideric Handel - 1685-1759
10. Igor Stravinsky - 1882-1971
11. Robert Schumann - 1810-1856
12. Frederic Chopin - 1810-1849
13. Felix Mendelssohn - 1809-1847
14. Claude Debussy - 1862-1918
15. Franz Liszt - 1811-1886
16. Antonin Dvorak - 1841-1904
17. Giuseppe Verdi - 1813-1901
18. Gustav Mahler - 1860-1911
19. Hector Berlioz - 1803-1869
20. Antonio Vivaldi - 1678-1741
21. Richard Strauss - 1864-1949
22. Serge Prokofiev - 1891-1953
23. Dmitri Shostakovich - 1906-1975
24. Béla Bartók - 1881-1945
25. Anton Bruckner - 1824-1896
26. Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina - 1525-1594
27. Claudio Monteverdi - 1567-1643
28. Jean Sibelius - 1865-1957
29. Maurice Ravel - 1875-1937
30. Ralph Vaughan Williams - 1872-1958
31. Modest Mussorgsky - 1839-1881
32. Giacomo Puccini - 1858-1924
33. Henry Purcell - 1659-1695
34. Gioacchino Rossini - 1792-1868
35. Edward Elgar - 1857-1934
36. Sergei Rachmaninoff - 1873-1943
37. Camille Saint-Saëns - 1835-1921
38. Josquin Des Prez - c.1440-1521
39. Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - 1844-1908
40. Carl Maria von Weber - 1786-1826
41. Jean-Philippe Rameau - 1683-1764
42. Jean-Baptiste Lully - 1632-1687
43. Gabriel Fauré - 1845-1924
44. Edvard Grieg - 1843-1907
45. Christoph Willibald Gluck - 1714-1787
46. Arnold Schoenberg - 1874-1951
47. Charles Ives - 1874-1954
48. Paul Hindemith - 1895-1963
49. Olivier Messiaen - 1908-1992
50. Aaron Copland - 1900-1990

   
51. Francois Couperin - 1668-1733
52. William Byrd - 1539-1623
53. Erik Satie - 1866-1925
54. Benjamin Britten - 1913-1976
55. Bedrick Smetana - 1824-1884
56. César Franck - 1822-1890
57. Alexander Nikolayevich Scriabin - 1872-1915
58. Georges Bizet - 1838-1875
59. Domenico Scarlatti - 1685-1757
60. Georg Philipp Telemann - 1681-1767
61. Anton Webern - 1883-1945
62. Roland de Lassus - 1532-1594
63. George Gershwin - 1898-1937
64. Gaetano Donizetti - 1797-1848
65. Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach - 1714-1788
66. Archangelo Corelli - 1653-1713
67. Thomas Tallis - 1505-1585
68. Jules Massenet - 1842-1912
69. Johann Strauss II - 1825-1899
70. Leos Janácek - 1854-1928
71. Guillaume de Machaut - 1300-1377
72. Alban Berg - 1885-1935
73. Alexander Borodin - 1833-1887
74. Vincenzo Bellini - 1801-1835
75. Charles Gounod - 1818-1893
76. Francis Poulenc - 1899-1963
77. Giovanni Gabrieli - 1554-1612
78. Pérotin - 1160-1225
79. Heinrich Schütz - 1585-1672
80. John Cage - 1912-1992
81. Giovanni Battista Pergolesi - 1710-1736
82. John Dowland - 1563-1626
83. Gustav Holst - 1874-1934
84. Dietrich Buxtehude - 1637-1707
85. Ottorino Respighi - 1879-1936
86. Guillaume Dufay - 1400-1474
87. Hugo Wolf - 1860-1903
88. Carl Nielsen - 1865-1931
89. William Walton - 1902-1983
90. Darius Milhaud - 1892-1974
91. Orlando Gibbons - 1583-1625
92. Giacomo Meyerbeer - 1791-1864
93. Samuel Barber - 1910-1981
94. Tomás Luis de Victoria - 1549-1611
95. Léonin - 1135-1201
96. Manuel de Falla - 1876-1946
97. Hildegard von Bingen - 1098-1179
98. Mikhail Glinka - 1804-1857
99. Alexander Glazunov - 1865-1936
100. Don Carlo Gesualdo - 1566-1613 (http://digitaldreamdoor.nutsie.com/pages/best-classic-comp.html)

**runs away**

You forgot Allan Pettersson, he should be placed in the top 50.

Scriabin must be higher than Schoenberg.

Honestly I think that Chopin should be among top 3!


Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: abidoful on August 03, 2010, 05:05:31 AM
J.S Bach
Beethoven
Mozart
Wagner
Sibelius
Haydn
Webern
Chopin
oh---this is impossible!
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: karlhenning on August 03, 2010, 05:09:17 AM
Quote from: abidoful on August 03, 2010, 05:05:31 AM
J.S Bach
Beethoven
Mozart
Wagner
Sibelius
Haydn
Webern
Chopin
oh---this is impossible!

Oh, but certainly those eight must be among the 100 greatest.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: abidoful on August 03, 2010, 05:48:34 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 03, 2010, 05:09:17 AM
Oh, but certainly those eight must be among the 100 greatest.
I guess---so many different ways to define GREAT! Funny about that; favorite v.s great. I really don't enjoy Webern and don't listen it much but he was great composer and a major influence on many post WW2 composers. So, of course he MUST be on the list!
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Verena on August 03, 2010, 07:02:27 AM
very interesting list, among the changes I'd suggest are the following: Victoria, Mahler, Purcell, and Chopin belong into the top ten, and Handel and Schubert are among the top four  :)

Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: drogulus on August 20, 2010, 06:48:39 AM

     That's a good list, since it has the names of 100 composers I've heard of, a necessary but not blah blah usw. I wouldn't change very much or the changes wouldn't mean very much or something like that. (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/Smileys/classic/smiley.gif)

     Let's see if I can muster some outrage:

     Carl Nielsen at #88? That's outrageous!!

     (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/Smileys/classic/undecided.gif)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Mirror Image on August 20, 2010, 08:42:48 PM
Lists like these are so trivial. In the long run, does it really matter who somebody thinks is the "greatest" composer? Music isn't a bloody competition people! It's about human expression. Everybody has something completely different to say. Whether we acknowledge their voice or not becomes a matter of personal taste.

I just have to laugh at this list because it's so stupid and juvenile.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Teresa on August 20, 2010, 09:18:36 PM
Quote from: drogulus on August 20, 2010, 06:48:39 AM
     Carl Nielsen at #88? That's outrageous!!

     (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/Smileys/classic/undecided.gif)
Don't feel bad, most of my favorite composers didn't even make the list.   :)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: mc ukrneal on August 20, 2010, 10:53:13 PM
Quote from: drogulus on August 20, 2010, 06:48:39 AM
     That's a good list, since it has the names of 100 composers I've heard of, a necessary but not blah blah usw. I wouldn't change very much or the changes wouldn't mean very much or something like that. (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/Smileys/classic/smiley.gif)

     Let's see if I can muster some outrage:

     Carl Nielsen at #88? That's outrageous!!

     (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/Smileys/classic/undecided.gif)

I totally agree! How he made it to the list is beyond me!!  :-* :P :o
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: drogulus on August 21, 2010, 06:10:43 AM
Quote from: ukrneal on August 20, 2010, 10:53:13 PM
I totally agree! How he made it to the list is beyond me!!  :-* :P :o

     Why such rancor in a music thread? (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/Smileys/classic/huh.gif)

     
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: mc ukrneal on August 21, 2010, 06:12:09 AM
Quote from: drogulus on August 21, 2010, 06:10:43 AM
     Why such rancor in a music thread? (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/Smileys/classic/huh.gif)

   
No rancor. I was trying to be cute/wise guy (hence all the smileys)...
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: King Karajan on September 02, 2010, 06:21:35 AM
For me the list would start:

Beethoven
Bruckner
Mahler
Wagner
Shostakovich
Mozart....

But "Best" is such a subjective term.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: karlhenning on September 02, 2010, 06:22:57 AM
Quote from: King Karajan on September 02, 2010, 06:21:35 AM
But "Best" is such a subjective term.

Not entirely.  And to shrug one's shoulders and just say, "Oh, it's all subjective" is . . . lazy, yes?
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: quintett op.57 on October 15, 2010, 01:34:46 AM
yes
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Benji on October 15, 2010, 05:14:33 AM
Oh..... grrrr..... silly list  >:(

I wish I liked Mozart, Schubert etc enough to have an opinion on whether they are more deserving of their places than my favourite 20th century composers. But I don't. Great story, right?...  8)

OK, but I will ask why Satie is so high up. I enjoy some of his piano music, but is there anything truly groundbreaking about it? What did he do to deserve such a high rank?
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: AndyD. on October 15, 2010, 07:51:46 AM
One of my main problems is having Mozart over Bach. I even have issues with him over Haydn. Hate me.

Here's a better example, in my humblest opinion:

1) Beethoven and Wagner (tie)
2) Bach
3) Haydn

I'm unhappy overall with the rest of that list as well.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Brahmsian on October 15, 2010, 07:55:12 AM
I'd like to see a list of the 100 Greatest Composers according to Rob Newman (not!)  It would I'm sure include a list of about 50 or so obscure Italian classical era composers Mozart supposedly stole all his music from.  :D
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: AndyD. on October 15, 2010, 08:01:06 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on October 15, 2010, 07:55:12 AM
I'd like to see a list of the 100 Greatest Composers according to Rob Newman (not!)  It would I'm sure include a list of about 50 or so obscure Italian classical era composers Mozart supposedly stole all his music from.  :D


You know, it would be hilarious.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: MN Dave on October 15, 2010, 08:12:00 AM
Quote from: AndyD. on October 15, 2010, 07:51:46 AM
1) Beethoven and Wagner (tie)
2) Bach
3) Haydn

1. Bach
2. Beethoven
3. Haydn
....Wagner

Fixed. ;)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: AndyD. on October 15, 2010, 08:15:01 AM
Quote from: MN Dave on October 15, 2010, 08:12:00 AM
1. Bach
2. Beethoven
3. Haydn
....Wagner

Fixed. ;)

;)

You know, I honestly don't have a problem with anyone picking Bach as Greatest Composer. I've been hearing more and more from his music just how Mt. Everest he really is.

But Beethoven and Wagner...it's like, once they click inside, your heart can't stop favoring them above the rest.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: MN Dave on October 15, 2010, 08:16:58 AM
Quote from: AndyD. on October 15, 2010, 08:15:01 AM
;)

You know, I honestly don't have a problem with anyone picking Bach as Greatest Composer. I've been hearing more and more from his music just how Mt. Everest he really is.

But Beethoven and Wagner...it's like, once they click inside, your heart can't stop favoring them above the rest.

Goes for any composer, I guess.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Brahmsian on October 15, 2010, 08:19:34 AM
Quote from: MN Dave on October 15, 2010, 08:16:58 AM
Goes for any composer, I guess.

BTW, that is a cool avatar.  How did you get a photo of Wagner wearing a Hitler moustache and uni-bomber sunglasses?  ??? :D
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: AndyD. on October 15, 2010, 08:22:20 AM
Quote from: MN Dave on October 15, 2010, 08:16:58 AM
Goes for any composer, I guess.

You are absolutely right. At least, any favorite composer.

Modified:

But Beethoven and Wagner...it's like, now that they've clicked inside, my heart can't stop favoring them above the rest. The return I get from them seems endless and affirming.


Quote from: ChamberNut on October 15, 2010, 08:19:34 AM
BTW, that is a cool avatar.  How did you get a photo of Wagner wearing a Hitler moustache and uni-bomber sunglasses?  ??? :D

Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Brahmsian on October 15, 2010, 08:23:38 AM
Another obvious unabomber look-a-like:

(http://totallylookslike.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/weird-al.jpg)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: karlhenning on October 15, 2010, 08:26:19 AM
Quote from: Benji on October 15, 2010, 05:14:33 AM
OK, but I will ask why Satie is so high up. I enjoy some of his piano music, but is there anything truly groundbreaking about it? What did he do to deserve such a high rank?

Well, you made me go back and look at that silly list, Ben! ; )

Satie in the "lower 50" I don't think is outrage-inducing.  His chef-d'oeuvre really is Socrate, of course . . . and (I'm repeating myself, I'm sure — sorry!) on the Billy Wilder principle of You're as good as the best thing you've done, Socrate secures Satie's place in the top 100.

It isn't that Socrate is that much different to the piano music. Satie (we might almost say) remained truer even than Debussy to the aim of paring away the cultural detritus. But my enjoyment of the piano music isn't the 'negative', but joy in focusing on what remains.  Just so, it is the purity and stillness of Socrate of which one sits back in awe.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: MN Dave on October 15, 2010, 08:27:56 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on October 15, 2010, 08:19:34 AM
BTW, that is a cool avatar.  How did you get a photo of Wagner wearing a Hitler moustache and uni-bomber sunglasses?  ??? :D

I hope that's a joke!
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: karlhenning on October 15, 2010, 08:29:09 AM
Ray mightn't recognize the source underneath the photoshopped makeover, Dave.

Even I had to do a double-take, once on a time.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: MN Dave on October 15, 2010, 08:31:22 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on October 15, 2010, 08:29:09 AM
Ray mightn't recognize the source underneath the photoshopped makeover, Dave.

Even I had to do a double-take, once on a time.


I am surprised.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: karlhenning on October 15, 2010, 08:37:58 AM
Quote from: MN Dave on October 15, 2010, 08:31:22 AM
I am surprised.

Well, the shades anonymize his visage to a much greater degree than comparable avatars of Mozart or Bach.  I think it takes a US-lit geek like you or me to know that author of "Tamerlane" lurks behing that urbane front.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: AndyD. on October 15, 2010, 11:25:48 AM
I think Ray was joking. It's a really cool avatar. It's funny, I just saw the Dario Argento version of "Black Cat" last night, and I thought of Dave.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: karlhenning on October 15, 2010, 11:29:55 AM
Well, I only thought that maybe Ray didn't realize it was E.A. Poe, and he was half-joking . . . .
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Brahmsian on October 15, 2010, 01:22:56 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on October 15, 2010, 11:29:55 AM
Well, I only thought that maybe Ray didn't realize it was E.A. Poe, and he was half-joking . . . .

No, I actually didn't realize that it was EAP.  :-X
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: karlhenning on October 15, 2010, 02:22:27 PM
I know the source photo reasonably well, Ray (I went to school with Poe . . . well, I did my Master's at UVa, where they keep a room in his honor) . . . and as I say, it was only after a double-take that I recognized him.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: AndyD. on October 16, 2010, 10:25:40 AM
I really enjoyed the blog that Karl wrote on "100 Greatest", and it inspired me to add fuel to the Tiger Beaten fun here: No way does Mozart rate over Bach!
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: karlhenning on October 16, 2010, 11:07:16 AM
Thanks, Andy!
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Scarpia on October 17, 2010, 12:07:55 PM
Quote from: AndyD. on October 16, 2010, 10:25:40 AM
No way does Mozart rate over Bach!

:o  No one can rank over Wolfie, I say.  I'd have to put Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms in a four way tie for first.  Then we can start counting from 5 on.   0:)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: MN Dave on October 17, 2010, 12:13:16 PM
Quote from: Scarpia on October 17, 2010, 12:07:55 PM

:o  No one can rank over Wolfie, I say.  I'd have to put Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms in a four way tie for first.  Then we can start counting from 5 on.   0:)

I like your style.
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: DavidW on October 17, 2010, 12:15:50 PM
Quote from: MN Dave on October 17, 2010, 12:13:16 PM
I like your style.

Except I would add Haydn. ;D
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: MN Dave on October 17, 2010, 12:20:19 PM
Quote from: DavidW on October 17, 2010, 12:15:50 PM
Except I would add Haydn. ;D

Quiet, you!


;)
Title: Re: 100 Greatest Composers!!!
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on January 30, 2011, 10:24:26 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on August 20, 2010, 08:42:48 PM
Music isn't a bloody competition people! 

When looking at some of your other posts, I find this somewhat conflicting.