Composers who are entering the pantheon/standard repertoire

[kyjo]

I was just wondering who members think are previously "unsung" composers who recently have or are in the process of entering the pantheon of the greats or are featuring more frequently on concert programs.

One of the foremost of these is, deservedly, Szymanowski. There was hardly any interest in his music before Rattle came onto the scene and produced marvelous recordings of most of his orchestral works. There are two ongoing series of Szymanowski's orchestral music: Gergiev/LSO on LSO Live, and Gardner/BBC SO on Chandos. My point is further evidenced by the fact that two major artists who usually stick to the core repertoire, Boulez and Teltzaff, recorded some Szymanowski on a major label (DG). His VC 1 is now being performed by world-class violinists and features comparatively frequently on concert programs. I'm sure his other works will follow VC 1's lead, examining current trends.

Do you guys agree with me about Szymanowski? What are some other composers you feel are entering the pantheon? 

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I don't know about "entering the pantheon" but I've noticed some upticks.

Among more recent composers, Lutoslawski, Ligeti, Messiaen and Schnittke seem to be holding steady, and even increasing their performances. Ligeti's piano etudes in particular are almost standard rep now.

Martinu is getting played more, and recorded more too, than he was only a couple of decades ago.

Also, this may just be a regional thing, but I've noticed that British composers are getting a lot more exposure in the US than they used to. (I'm hearing Walton Sym. #1 this Saturday in fact.)

[Sergeant Rock]

Also, this may just be a regional thing, but I've noticed that British composers are getting a lot more exposure in the US than they used to. (I'm hearing Walton Sym. #1 this Saturday in fact.)

The Elgar First is being performed in Ludwigshafen next week by the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz! 

Sarge

[kyjo]

Martinu is getting played more, and recorded more too, than he was only a couple of decades ago.

Totally agree! I meant to mention Martinu in my first post. (Nice alliteration, if I say so myself )

[Sergeant Rock]

I meant to mention Martinu

A born poet, you are 

Sarge

[kyjo]

A born poet, you are 

Sarge

Alliteration was my only saving grace when it came to writing poems in grade school!

[Brian]

Martinu was the first name that came to mind. Janacek is still relatively new in the USA but is making fast progress; just a few years ago his Sinfonietta was presented at a concert I attended as a "true rarity" the conductor felt privileged to be able to lead.

The Austin (TX) Symphony recently did Szymanowski's Fourth with Emanuel Ax. So actually this thread so far seems pretty spot-on.

[DavidW]

Martinu and Janacek entered the pantheon quite awhile ago. The Szymanowski example is better, he was underrepresented. 

Just as interesting are baroque era composers that are not Handel, Bach or Vivaldi being performed, recorded and written about more than they used to be.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

The Elgar First is being performed in Ludwigshafen next week by the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz! 

Cool  wish I could be there.

Just as interesting are baroque era composers that are not Handel, Bach or Vivaldi being performed, recorded and

Rameau might be a good example here, in terms of getting more mainstream recognition. What complicates things is that increasingly anything pre-1800 is becoming the property of specialist period-instrument performers.

[kyjo]

Also, this may just be a regional thing, but I've noticed that British composers are getting a lot more exposure in the US than they used to. (I'm hearing Walton Sym. #1 this Saturday in fact.)

I dunno about that! I can't remember the last time I saw an Elgar (besides the Enigma Variations), VW, Walton, or Britten work on a US concert program, let alone the music of Arnold, Alwyn, Bantock, Rubbra, or Bax.

[Karl Henning]

... let alone the music of Arnold, Alwyn, Bantock, Rubbra, or Bax.

Well, they aren't entering the pantheon!

Not all that long ago, we heard Gerontius and the RVW Sixth at Symphony. And I played in the pit for Albert Herring.

[Karl Henning]

... let alone the music of Arnold, Alwyn, Bantock, Rubbra, or Bax.

Well, they aren't entering the pantheon!

Not all that long ago, we heard Gerontius and the RVW Sixth at Symphony. And I played in the pit for Albert Herring.

[kyjo]

Well, they aren't entering the pantheon!

You don't have to rub it in!

[Karl Henning]

... let alone the music of Arnold, Alwyn, Bantock, Rubbra, or Bax.

Well, they aren't entering the pantheon!

Not all that long ago, we heard Gerontius and the RVW Sixth at Symphony. And I played in the pit for Albert Herring.

[amw]

Just as interesting are baroque era composers that are not Handel, Bach or Vivaldi being performed, recorded and written about more than they used to be.

Indeed. Marc-Antoine Charpentier and HIF v Biber's stars seems to be on the rise lately in particular.

Among more modern composers, there seems to be quite a lot of Elliott Carter out there considering how difficult his music is to play. Ligeti as well.

[kyjo]

Karl? You alright there?

[Karl Henning]

Me, I'm fine. My connection was a little dodgy

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I dunno about that! I can't remember the last time I saw an Elgar (besides the Enigma Variations), VW, Walton, or Britten work on a US concert program, let alone the music of Arnold, Alwyn, Bantock, Rubbra, or Bax.

Just in the last year, I've been to concerts featuring Elgar, VW, Arnold, and Holst, and missed other concerts featuring them (including a Gerontius in Milwaukee) as well as Britten and others. 

[kyjo]

Just in the last year, I've been to concerts featuring Elgar, VW, Arnold, and Holst, and missed other concerts featuring them (including a Gerontius in Milwaukee) as well as Britten and others. 

Consider yourself lucky! I'll have to start checking concert programs around the US more often, as I wasn't aware of this trend.

[mc ukrneal]

A strange question. What is this pantheon and who is already in it? I'll bet we can't agree on that. I mean, what are entrance criteria? As a result, we'll never agree on the rest.