Top 10 compositions that you like but no one else does

[Ken B]

I'll also admit to enjoying a lot of Philip Glass.

Good on ya, but the days when Glass was unpopular are long gone. He and Adams are the most famous and performed serious composers alive I think.

My choice would be Facing Goya by Nyman. I love it deperately, but it is not well known and sends most people running. Also Noise Sounds and Sweet Airs by Nyman.

[Daverz]

Good on ya, but the days when Glass was unpopular are long gone.

He's often reviled here and on other classical music forums.

[Ken B]

He's often reviled here and on other classical music forums.

Yes. You find Lincoln haters on the web too. 

[Florestan]

Poor nominations indeed - I love these.

Okay, let those amongst you who have listened to more than three Rossini's operas (Il barbiere di Siviglia excluded) in the last two weeks raise your hands! 

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

I need to think about these some more - btw, I agree that Philip Glass can't be mentioned here as he's clearly (and deservedly) appreciated. 

But I reckon I'm pretty much alone in espousing the Vieuxtemps Violin Concertos which I'll cite à la Gurn en masse (even though #5 marginally holds its own in the repertoire).  Saint-Saëns' Christmas Oratorio is little remarked upon and appreciated even less to my wonderment and consternation.  While we're sitting in S-S's office, we should mention his Cantique de Jean Racine, gorgeous music showing just how great and sensitive an orchestrator he was, based on a poem beautiful enough to have made - in its day - believers of the unbelieving.  Marx's (Joseph, not Karl) string quartets are little gems, shiny and brilliant in their own right and I listen to 'em often to make up for everyone else not listening to them at all.  Last I can think of at the moment are the Spohr VCs (he's also the man we can thank or curse for the chin rest) - they are exceptional works - mind, not of LvB or Mendelssohn intensity and excitement but undeservedly undervalued (except for the Spohr society, some of whom see him as a worthy contender for LvB's status).  Would very much like to hear some of Spohr's lieder.  More underappreciateds to add in future, I'm sure. 

[Karl Henning]

Clearly, anyway 

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Clearly, anyway 

 

[Karl Henning]

I'm a big Saint-Saëns fan, too.

[North Star]

I'm a big Saint-Saëns fan, too.

+1

[Gurn Blanston]

I need to think about these some more - btw, I agree that Philip Glass can't be mentioned here as he's clearly (and deservedly) appreciated. 

But I reckon I'm pretty much alone in espousing the Vieuxtemps Violin Concertos which I'll cite à la Gurn en masse (even though #5 marginally holds its own in the repertoire).  Saint-Saëns' Christmas Oratorio is little remarked upon and appreciated even less to my wonderment and consternation.  While we're sitting in S-S's office, we should mention his Cantique de Jean Racine, gorgeous music showing just how great and sensitive an orchestrator he was, based on a poem beautiful enough to have made - in its day - believers of the unbelieving.  Marx's (Joseph, not Karl) string quartets are little gems, shiny and brilliant in their own right and I listen to 'em often to make up for everyone else not listening to them at all.  Last I can think of at the moment are the Spohr VCs (he's also the man we can thank or curse for the chin rest) - they are exceptional works - mind, not of LvB or Mendelssohn intensity and excitement but undeservedly undervalued (except for the Spohr society, some of whom see him as a worthy contender for LvB's status).  Would very much like to hear some of Spohr's lieder.  More underappreciateds to add in future, I'm sure.

You and I have many similar tastes: e.g. -  the Vieuxtemps and Spohr VC's. I am also a Saint-Saëns fan, at least of his instrumental works. A superb little gem is Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, which made a showoff out of Sarasate (another great favorite of mine, but don't get me started!).

[Florestan]

Friedrich Kuhlau, George Onslow, Eduard Franck...

[Jo498]

I was not all that impressed by Spohr violin concerti and symphonies (have heard a few, not all of them), but I like quite a bit of his chamber music, especially the septet/octet/nonet with woodwinds/strings and the "double quartets" for strings. And the clarinet concerti...

[Gurn Blanston]

I was not all that impressed by Spohr violin concerti and symphonies (have heard a few, not all of them), but I like quite a bit of his chamber music, especially the septet/octet/nonet with woodwinds/strings and the "double quartets" for strings. And the clarinet concerti...

I really like the Wind and Strings Octet, one of the coolest themes Spohr ever came up with. I like the string double quartets too. Actually, most of his chamber music. I used to be a Spohr guy, I have a pisspot full of his stuff. I discovered him and Hummel at the same time and wore out AMP filling out my collection.

[Jo498]

Has anyone heard one of Spohr's operas? (I haven't) His "Faust" apparently was a repertoire staple until the late 19th century, there is also "Jessonda" and maybe more.

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

I was not all that impressed by Spohr violin concerti and symphonies (have heard a few, not all of them), but I like quite a bit of his chamber music, especially the septet/octet/nonet with woodwinds/strings and the "double quartets" for strings. And the clarinet concerti...

See? See?? Underappreciated!   

Yes, his Octet is wonderful and roundly admired.  The Eastman School in Rochester has a MS. copy of his 10th Symphony - there's two recordings of it out now, but have not heard either.

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Has anyone heard one of Spohr's operas? (I haven't) His "Faust" apparently was a repertoire staple until the late 19th century, there is also "Jessonda" and maybe more.

I have heard of both and heard neither, unfortunately.  Dick Strawser sees a passage in the latter that predates and may have inspired Wagner!  Interesting article, his :
http://dickstrawser.blogspot.com/2011/04/more-spohr-and-several-years-ago.html  Both operas have been recorded and am herewith wish listing them.

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[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

You and I have many similar tastes: e.g. -  the Vieuxtemps and Spohr VC's. I am also a Saint-Saëns fan, at least of his instrumental works. A superb little gem is Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, which made a showoff out of Sarasate (another great favorite of mine, but don't get me started!).

Yippee, a Vieuxtemps (and S-S) confrère!  Pleased to make your acquaintance!  There ain't many of us...we should invent a secret (virtual) handshake or codeword for solidarity.  I'm wondering now if I should pull back those Spohr recommends - he has several active societies and they do mean business! : they are not idle in promoting their idol. 

Edit : I think I remember Karlo wondering why he didn't listen to S-S more.  Good example of a composer who is bigger and better than his rep.

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Good on ya, but the days when Glass was unpopular are long gone. He and Adams are the most famous and performed serious composers alive I think.

My choice would be Facing Goya by Nyman. I love it deperately, but it is not well known and sends most people running. Also Noise Sounds and Sweet Airs by Nyman.

I am going to listen to those two Nyman works, Ken B., and if they send me running, well, I need the exercise!

[Ken B]

I am going to listen to those two Nyman works, Ken B., and if they send me running, well, I need the exercise!

Good man, er lizard! Let me know.

[AdamFromWashington]

Few people seem to talk about Veljo Tormis and the New American Wave of choral composers - Lauridsen, Whitacre, Kyr, etc.

I like Tormis quite a bit, though I'm not familiar with the others... I especially enjoy Curse Upon Iron. A fun, kind of spooky shamanistic/viking sound world. Like Sibelius if he went a bit insane. 

For the thread, I enjoy Avet Terterian's Symphonies very much, though I can't see that anyone else has ever heard of him.

Also,

Grieg's Land Sighting, Op. 31

Shostakovich's unfinished opera Orango, a good time all the way through. His 2nd Cello Concerto is great, too, especially the fanfares and "ticking clocks" in the last movement. I might even prefer it over the famous 1st Cello Concerto.

Kabalevsky's Cello Concertos.

Prokofiev's Hail to Stalin: lovely, amazing music, in spite of its gruesome title.

Anything by Stephen Scott or Lou Harrison.

Ingram Marshal's Fog Tropes and Alcatraz.