Favorite Classical Composer?

[Rednamalas1]

1) Mozart - for composing requiem.
2) Bach - St. Mattews' Passion did it for me
3) Chopin

 

[Facade19]

Over the the past few months I have spanned my listening to 20th century composers (such as Honegger, Prokofiev and Shostakovich). In addition I acquired more Wagner Music Dramas and Chopin's Nocturnes (which are incredibly beautiful and very poignant). Nielsen, Rachmaninov and more Bartok. While I made multiple joyous discoveries Mahler is still hands down my favorite composer!

 

[Sordel]

I'm a bit surprised that I haven't already replied to this thread but: Shostakovich, by a long way.

His Preludes and Fugues have analytical quality of Bach; his late symphonies have the orchestral clarity of Britten; his middle symphonies have the force and emotion of Mahler; his string quartets approach the depth of Beethoven. That's without even considering minor works such as Lady Macbeth, the Jazz suites, the ballets etc.

 

[DNA Doc]

If I had to pick only one, my pick for favorite composer would be Silvius Leopold Weiss, the most important composer for lute, and by all accounts, one of the most technically gifted performers also. (I'm assuming from all the responses I've read that's ok to pick baroque age composers). Weiss was an almost exact contemporary of Bach's and his compositional equal (in fact, they knew each other and it is known that they would engage in friendly improvisational competition), but since he composed for solo lute he is unfortunately nowhere near as well known today. It's a shame as his music is extremely rewarding.

I recently came across an excellent performance of a great suite by Weiss played by David Russell, one of the world's most talented classical guitarists. It's definitely worth a listen. The passacaille that ends part 2 is one of my favorites.

Part 1 of 2:
YouTube - David Russell Weiss Suite LIVE Part I

Part 2 of 2:
YouTube - David Russell Weiss Suite LIVE Part II

Robert Barto has done about 8 volumes of Weiss music on Naxos that is also well worth hearing for those who like this kind of stuff.

 

[dkjohnso]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNA Doc /img/forum/go_quote.gif If I had to pick only one, my pick for favorite composer would be Silvius Leopold Weiss, the most important composer for lute, and by all accounts, one of the most technically gifted performers also. (I'm assuming from all the responses I've read that's ok to pick baroque age composers). Weiss was an almost exact contemporary of Bach's and his compositional equal (in fact, they knew each other and it is known that they would engage in friendly improvisational competition), but since he composed for solo lute he is unfortunately nowhere near as well known today. It's a shame as his music is extremely rewarding. I recently came across an excellent performance of a great suite by Weiss played by David Russell, one of the world's most talented classical guitarists. It's definitely worth a listen. The passacaille that ends part 2 is one of my favorites. Part 1 of 2: YouTube - David Russell Weiss Suite LIVE Part I Part 2 of 2: YouTube - David Russell Weiss Suite LIVE Part II Robert Barto has done about 8 volumes of Weiss music on Naxos that is also well worth hearing for those who like this kind of stuff.

I had not heard of Weiss before, so I picked up an album this morning. Very good stuff. I am not sure I would place him on quite the same level as Bach, but still very good: I am thoroughly enjoying it.

 

[DNA Doc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkjohnso /img/forum/go_quote.gif I had not heard of Weiss before, so I picked up an album this morning. Very good stuff. I am not sure I would place him on quite the same level as Bach, but still very good: I am thoroughly enjoying it.

Hi dkjohnso,

I am glad to have helped introduce you to Weiss, and glad you're enjoying his music. Also, I fully realize that my statement regarding his compositional skill was pretty strong, but he is regarded this way by many. If he's not as good as Bach, I'd say he's d@mn close.

(And to be honest, although I mentioned in my previous post he was my favorite, it's really a tie between Weiss and Bach - I love them both).

 

[DavidMahler]

Weiss - a favorite composer? wow! I own all the naxos releases, hes a good composer, but thats still quite a shocking thing to read these days.

If you like his music check out a keyboard composer named Johann Jakob Froberger.

 

[DNA Doc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMahler /img/forum/go_quote.gif Weiss - a favorite composer? wow! I own all the naxos releases, hes a good composer, but thats still quite a shocking thing to read these days.

Especially so give that the majority of people I know who listen to classical music have never heard of him.

What can I say? I'm a lute nut, and he was simply a fantastic composer for the instrument.

As for Froberger, yes I am familiar, but not intimately. I've liked what I've heard, however and perhaps this will be the impetus to explore more. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[nabwong]

Into Ravel at the moment. It's impossible to choose one. Check out this cd.

Click Me

Jean-Yves Thibaudet (best french pianist) playing Ravel's Piano Concerto in G (best french piano concert). I saw Thibaudet live with the Boston Symphony last year and the 2nd movement made me weep.

 

[Deckard79]

Gorecki - so many critics claim his 3rd Symphony is overrated and dull... I think it's one of the most moving things I've heard

Delius - For First Cuckoo in Spring...

Beethoven - 9th Symphony, even more miraculous considering he composed it while almost completely deaf.

 

[davisac]

Bach. but impossible to choose only one really....

 

[Mike Wazowski]

Easy: Rachmaninoff.

 

[wang228]

BACH.

Mozart, Chopin, Brahms, Rachmaninov, Glass had each been my favorite, but Bach really grows on me these days.

 

[ozz]

Beethoven 5th and 9th still my favorites never get tired of them but
its really hard to pick just one when there are so many greats.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Dead: Bach

Alive: Part