Top 5 Favorite British composers besides Elgar, VW, Holst, Britten and Walton

[Karl Henning]

Don't forget the horrendous New Years' Suite!

Well, there are bits of that which I wish I had written.

[Christo]

About twenty years ago my vote would have gone to Alwyn, Bliss, Bridge, Moeran, Tippett. Now I voted for Arnold, Bate, Berkeley (père), Brian, Cooke. But I could easily have cast a dozen other votes, as there are many among them whose music I really love. It may not be common practice to regard the British musical scene as leading in contemporary music, but for me it's definitely highest concentration of first rank composers to be found anywhere over the past century. With a remarkable peak in musical creativity - symphonies! - around WWII. 

[kyjo]

About twenty years ago my vote would have gone to Alwyn, Bliss, Bridge, Moeran, Tippett. Now I voted for Arnold, Bate, Berkeley (père), Brian, Cooke. But I could easily have cast a dozen other votes, as there are many among them whose music I really love. It may not be common practice to regard the British musical scene as leading in contemporary music, but for me it's definitely highest concentration of first rank composers to be found anywhere over the past century. With a remarkable peak in musical creativity - symphonies! - around WWII.

Nice choices there, Johan! If only more of Bate's and Cooke's music was recorded. Their music is immensely rewarding.

[Dax]

John White should be there

[kyjo]

John White should be there

OK, I'll add him.

[Daverz]

I have yet to hear anything particularly impressive from Bate (I have a couple of the Dutton CDs).  I like Cooke's Symphony 3, but that's all I've heard of him.  The ones I'd like to explore more are Cooke, Mathias, Hoddinott, Daniel Jones, Lloyd, and Bridge.

[kyjo]

I have yet to hear anything particularly impressive from Bate (I have a couple of the Dutton CDs).  I like Cooke's Symphony 3, but that's all I've heard of him.  The ones I'd like to explore more are Cooke, Mathias, Hoddinott, Daniel Jones, Lloyd, and Bridge.

Let me know if you need any recommendations with these composers. Have you heard Bate's Symphony no. 3? It is a turbulent, highly charged work that should appeal to anyone who loves the RVW of Symphonies 4 and 6.

[Christo]

Ruth Gipps is also missing yet - and she would be high in my list too. 

[Sergeant Rock]

Ruth Gipps is also missing yet - and she would be high in my list too. 

Everyone's high on your list, Christo. Rehab is called for 

Sarge

[Christo]

Everyone's high on your list, Christo. Rehab is called for 
Sarge

No comments please. Just your vote will do, thank you.  (And I guess Rehab to be the result of your autocorrection, just like I'm struggling with mine, in Dutch, making me type weird things.) 

[Sergeant Rock]

(And I guess Rehab to be the result of your autocorrection, just like I'm struggling with mine, in Dutch, making me type weird things.) 

No, I typed and meant rehab 

Sarge

[Christo]

No, I typed and meant rehab 
Sarge

In that case: I solemly declare that I prefer Ruth Gipps (she's a very fine composer IMHO, her five symphonies crie for a decent recording, especially 2, 4 and 5 are impressive). Rehab is more a matter for the Diner. 

[dyn]

John White should be there

i have the NMC disc of selected piano sonatas and i have to say i don't "get" that area of White's music at all—it's like a kind of aural illusion, i'm never completely sure what i'm listening to. some of the pieces sound like pastiches of other composers (while i'm not aware of White ever considering him an influence, Prokofiev comes to mind pretty often) except in isolated moments that are subtly "wrong". others are more explicitly collage-like, or based on what sounds like minimalism or popular music. the closest comparison i can think of is Rzewski (another composer whose music i struggle with although i hope to understand better at some point, incidentally) but Rzewski seems to acknowledge more of the twentieth century and his music is also much more explicit about its intentions. i'm also aware of White's early experimental work although i haven't heard any of it. any listening recommendations you might have would be nice.

[dyn]

Every poll is flawed. What was the problem with the other one, besides the fact that the two mainly cover different time periods?

that was explained earlier in the thread—it was intended as satirical and i realised i should not interfere in that manner (or try to impose my tastes on others). i think the membership of this board is doing well in molding this thread to suit its desires, and it should suffice for that purpose.

[kyjo]

Ruth Gipps is also missing yet - and she would be high in my list too. 

Sorry, Johan. Gipps is an absurdly neglected composer. It is a shame that her only two recorded compositions-Symphony no. 2 and the PC-are difficult to get ahold of (the Classico disc with Symphony no. 2 is out of print and the Cameo disc with the PC has limited distribution). Her Symphony no. 2 is a work of such mastery and spirit. I shall add her to the list, of course.

[Mirror Image]

So you've gone from praising Delius as if he occupied hallowed ground to throwing him under the bus.  You were apparently premature in your praise.  In the future, it might be best for you not to go "nuts" over a composer until you've reached a final verdict.  I'm not concerned about how this affects you; I have no empathy for anti-Bach guys.  It's just that many members here likely have put significant weight on your pronouncements.

You say that you engage in "constant evolution", but I think that you should instead concentrate on reliability.

Yes, it's true, I'm not a reliable listener, but I'm glad I'm not. I'm glad that I've constantly listened, analyzed, and ultimately found out why I dislike Delius. It wasn't an easy task and it took some critical thinking, but I think you're off the mark in saying that I would 'throw Delius under the bus.' That's a bit extreme, but I suppose many here may think of my 'change of heart' was extreme. Either way, it shouldn't be something to criticize me about. I listen to music I enjoy and if I don't enjoy something I at least find out the reasons why I don't enjoy the music. I simply don't write off a composer without some kind of experience. At least I'm experiencing music that's out of my comfort zone and I'm constantly trying to work in new composers into my listening. I have a passion for this music and I think this supersedes any missteps I may or may not take along the way.

But what do you care, really? I'm just an 'anti-Bach' guy who should really learn how to be more 'reliable' with my likings. Thanks for the pep talk, Dad.

[Klaze]

that was explained earlier in the thread—it was intended as satirical and i realised i should not interfere in that manner (or try to impose my tastes on others)

I saw that, and considering the reactions, i guess it succeeded pretty well at that. Furthermore, I wouldnt worry about imposing your taste if I were you, since it's not obligatory to vote (and to some extent all polls are a reflection of the poll starter's taste..)

Anyway, good going kyjo, you're putting in quite an effort here!

[Christo]

Sorry, Johan. Gipps is an absurdly neglected composer. It is a shame that her only two recorded compositions-Symphony no. 2 and the PC-are difficult to get ahold of (the Classico disc with Symphony no. 2 is out of print and the Cameo disc with the PC has limited distribution). Her Symphony no. 2 is a work of such mastery and spirit. I shall add her to the list, of course.

No reason for apologies whatsoever! Your list is abundant en inspiring, but I agree about Ruth Gipps: found her Symphony No. 2 (discovered only last year in the Classico box) very moving and went on to hear more thanks to the Unsung/ArtMusic archives. Vaughan Williams's pupils weren't so bad after all. 

[DavidW]

MI I think everyone goes through this.  There is the initial thrill of the novelty, followed by a feeling of meh as the euphoria wears off, and then finally acceptance and enjoyment for what the music really is.  Being aware of this cycle, you can make more insightful and helpful recommendations posts by not saying anything until you hit stage 3.

I can't count how many times I've done this back when I was discovering new composers and new genres seemingly every week.

[Mirror Image]

MI I think everyone goes through this.  There is the initial thrill of the novelty, followed by a feeling of meh as the euphoria wears off, and then finally acceptance and enjoyment for what the music really is.  Being aware of this cycle, you can make more insightful and helpful recommendations posts by not saying anything until you hit stage 3.

I can't count how many times I've done this back when I was discovering new composers and new genres seemingly every week.

Yeah, I suppose I shouldn't make any solid recommendations until I've become a true fan of a composer. In this case, I've been making many Schnittke recommendations but this is because I've had quite a breakthrough with his music. As everyone probably remembers, he was a composer I disliked initially, but I'm happy to report that I seriously enjoy so much of his music these days. No euphoria moments here, just some serious listening and reconsideration.