Five composers who look like their music.

[DavidW]

Thanks Erato and North Star!

[mahler10th]

I'd recommend starting with Symphonies 3 and 7, Peer Gynt, or the Bassoon Concerto. Saeverud's not an "easy" composer by any means, but I think you'll find something to enjoy in his music.

Thanks for that, I am now investigating.   

[kyjo]

Thanks for that, I am now investigating.   

My pleasure, John. BTW I really like your new signature. Put a big ol' grin on my face! I've always loved the LOTR series (both the books and the movies) and have never understood the fascination with all things Harry Potter.

[Florestan]

Actually, what does music look like? 

[Octave]

I always liked the intense serenity/turmoil duality in this one:



(Iannis Xenakis, 1922-2001)

Yes, this.  And he gets more beautiful the more I see him.

[Octave]

And he has a great grin that I would like to think is very much in the music, that 'survives' all the computation.  Like:



Or:



And he can rock a bowtie (e.g. the conservative's nose-ring) like a mofo:

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Wagner and Berlioz have huge heads, colossal noses and personality to match (although probably in negative sense of the word) and their music is certainly huge, for the lack of a better word. Sibelius looks like he's a statue made from the glittering stone, just like much of his music. Bach, well, just look at that smirk:


He seems really confident guy in that painting (all the more impressive considering at his lifetime composers weren't nearly as respected as in say 19th century). And he has every right to be proud about his achievements! His music also reflects masterful, confident skill. And Rachmaninov can really be proud about his large hands!

[EigenUser]

I think that one composer who looks nothing like his music is Bartok. Apparently, people who saw him perform were always shocked when such a frail-looking man would play such aggressive things on the piano (e.g. his sonata for solo piano, "Out of Doors", etc.).

I think Ravel looks exactly like his music. I read a story in a biography of his where he was "in a state" because his order of 50-something neckties that were shipped to America during his tour were half-an-inch too long. His agent who was accompanying him shortened every single one. Also, there is a story where he was like half-an-hour late to a concert he was conducting in because he couldn't find his black shoes -- only his brown ones. He half-jokingly referred to his unwanted shoes as "boots".

Ravel was a reasonable fellow, though (unlike Debussy), and I think that these stories might be related to his brain disease. Whether you like his music or not, this sense of detail perfectly describes it.

[vandermolen]

I think that one composer who looks nothing like his music is Bartok. Apparently, people who saw him perform were always shocked when such a frail-looking man would play such aggressive things on the piano (e.g. his sonata for solo piano, "Out of Doors", etc.).

I think Ravel looks exactly like his music. I read a story in a biography of his where he was "in a state" because his order of 50-something neckties that were shipped to America during his tour were half-an-inch too long. His agent who was accompanying him shortened every single one. Also, there is a story where he was like half-an-hour late to a concert he was conducting in because he couldn't find his black shoes -- only his brown ones. He half-jokingly referred to his unwanted shoes as "boots".

Ravel was a reasonable fellow, though (unlike Debussy), and I think that these stories might be related to his brain disease. Whether you like his music or not, this sense of detail perfectly describes it.

Interesting point. I mentioned Ravel in my initial posting as an obvious example.

[Henk]

Which one?

   

Benjamin Britten?