Most Hated Composer of all Time?

[Simula]

Who do you think it is? My guess is that Schoenberg will take the prize on this one, although John Cage might surpass the master.

[Ken B]

Who do you think it is? My guess is that Schoenberg will take the prize on this one, although John Cage might surpass the master.

Not in this group.

[71 dB]

Who do you think it is?

I have no clue, but I know who is the most TAUNTEDittersdorf.

[Jo498]

Wagner certainly must be a candidate as well. Also Stockhausen. Puccini for all that seems wrong with opera, Richard Strauss for pomposity and maybe even Johann Strauss (some people seem to love to hate "light" classical music).

[ritter]

Well, as an admirer of Pierre Boulez, I have noticed that there's no love lost for him among many music lovers (including here on GMG).

[king ubu]

Wagner certainly must be a candidate as well. Also Stockhausen. Puccini for all that seems wrong with opera, Richard Strauss for pomposity and maybe even Johann Strauss (some people seem to love to hate "light" classical music).

Not taunting you at all ... but why the heck would people hate Puccini and/or his operas? After all, opera doesn't get much better, does it?

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

I have no clue and no idea what we will achieve by seeking an answer. I don't even know who to nominate.

[James]

On this forum .. of major composers whom earned their place, I'd say definitely Stockhausen. In the real world, not so much - his music does just fine, probably better than the 2nd Viennese School, and most composers of his generation.

[Jo498]

Not taunting you at all ... but why the heck would people hate Puccini and/or his operas? After all, opera doesn't get much better, does it?

I am not expressing my opinion.
But I have certainly seen the opinion expressed (and can understand it) that Puccini is soppy kitsch, over the top, whatever, namely all operatic clichées fulfilled to the point of caricature. Although Wagner is probably even easier to make fun of, with Wagner it's often not the music but the 19th century winged helmets.

[The new erato]

I am not expressing my opinion.
Puccini is soppy kitsch, over the top, whatever, namely all operatic clichées fulfilled to the point of caricature.

It is, but I don't see the problem with that. It is well done soppy kitsch and nothing to be ashamed of if soppy kitsch is what you like. Badly done soppy kitsch of course is quite another matter.

[Cato]

Although Wagner is probably even easier to make fun of, with Wagner it's often not the music but the 19th century winged helmets.

These days, however, the dislike comes not from the operas, but from the anti-Jewish scribblings.

On this forum .. of major composers whom earned their place, I'd say definitely Stockhausen. In the real world, not so much - his music does just fine, probably better than the 2nd Viennese School, and most composers of his generation.

Again, the composer's writings/statements did not help him (e.g. the September 11th attacks as an artwork, which comment I can understand, given Stockhausen's point of view, but which was doomed to be sensationalized.

See e.g. :

http://nymag.com/news/9-11/10th-anniversary/karlheinz-stockhausen/  Note the column on the right from Stockhausen.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2008/jun/23/isittimetoforgivestockhau

[Karl Henning]

I have no glue, but I know who is the most TAUNTEDittersdorf.

Only speculative.

[Karl Henning]

... of major composers whom earned ....

Send James back to school.

[Karl Henning]

Thread Duty:

A couple of possibilities:

Lowell Liebermann
Tikhon Khrennikov

Now, it may be objected that I selected two 20^th-c. composers, when we are discussing "of all Time."

But over time, any composers of earlier epochs who were hated, time has worked in their favor for audiences to listen more favorably.

[Cato]

Thread Duty:

A couple of possibilities:

Lowell Liebermann
Tikhon Khrennikov

Khrennikov I understand, but what has been Liebermann's crime, outside of shamelessly imitating e.g. Prokofiev ?   

[Karl Henning]

That's fair  0:)

[Mirror Image]

Lowell Liebermann

What did this composer do to be on your 'Most Hated' list? Inquiring minds want to know...

My pick is Stockhausen. Can't stand his music and I think he's done absolutely nothing but create bad blood amongst classical listeners (those who actually like his music that is).

[Cato]

Khrennikov I understand, but what has been Liebermann's crime, outside of shamelessly imitating e.g. Prokofiev ?   

That's fair  0:)

I recall rather vividly hearing a Prokofiev Piano Concerto on the radio, and wondering if a Sixth had been discovered, because I did not recognize the work!

No, it was by Lowell Liebermann.   

[Karl Henning]

I recall rather vividly hearing a Prokofiev Piano Concerto on the radio, and wondering if a Sixth had been discovered, because I did not recognize the work!

No, it was by Lowell Liebermann.   

Your quarrel with him is already greater than my own  0:)

[Brian]

That dastardly murderer Salieri!