who do "you" think is the greatest Classical composter?

SamJ · #1 06-20-2006, 09:11 PM

In another thread earlier in the bass forum, I and others digressed a bit into the discussion of classical composers. it was clearly off topic, so I decided I'd like to see what members think on the topic of classical composers, namely who's the "greatest" of them?

As with any poll, I'll not have every name on it, so you'll have to bare with me, and you can always "write in" your man.. We're listing Baroque, Classical period, and Opera composers.. as well as contemporary.. but must be classical, so no Pete Townsends!

I think the question of who is the greatest classical composer is a fair one.. sure, as with all things music, there are a lot of subjectives, so we can consider this an "opinion poll" and nothing more, but feel free to chime in the thread what it is you like or dislike about a particular composer.. you can also list others that you like.

I was going to post this in the DB forum as they're more likely to be playing classical (not always of course).. but The "foot traffic" here is a bit higher, and this way all can participate who wish to.

My personal list is: (I'm more into Baroque)

JS Bach - first among the greats, both in the literal sense (he was long dead well before even the careers, much less the birth of either of the other greats on my list, less Handel and Vivaldi) and he is in many ways the father of the "Western" Musical style. His large volume works are also IMHO the greatest compositions of all time. He was also a master of the Organ.

Antonio Vivaldi - A master of the strings, and a very under rated composer, and the only Italian on my list.

G F Handel - Composer for the Kings of Great Briton, and master of the horns and brass winds!

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - A true genus, from his childhood, with many well known works.

Ludwig von Beethoven - Mad man, and genius, with a short career and some great works! the 9th!

Christoph Willibald von Gluck - another under rated master of the Opera.

Franz Joseph Haydn - A father of the Viennese sound, teacher of Beethoven

Samuel Barber - A Johnny come lately in terms of years, but nevertheless a great composer in the Baroque style.. he would have made Bach proud!

Also, please... If you're not into classical or want to just pick a fight about somebody's opinion, please don't waste time trolling this thread.

superbassman2000 · #2 06-20-2006, 09:20 PM

thats a hard choice...it kind of reminds me of a comparison of yngwie malmsteen vs. John Williams....

each of the composers offer something different and brilliant...
in any case, i think that Bach is the best of the group.

Although i think that Eric Satie really did some great pieces that aren't very known...

Jazzin' · #3 06-20-2006, 09:37 PM

John Williams

tzadik · #4 06-20-2006, 09:39 PM

Bach. Hands down.

Other dudes I love: Poulenc. Debussy. Satie. (Do we see a pattern?) Ottorino Respighi, which I probably spelled wrong. Joseph Jongen.

Ericman197 · #5 06-20-2006, 09:48 PM

I find many of the traditionally listed composers to be a bore. My favorites are Tchaikovsky (yo March Slave rocks my sox) and Wagner.

d8g3jdh · #6 06-20-2006, 09:51 PM

I like Beethoven because he did it despite being deaf. Now that's impressive!

SamJ · #7 06-20-2006, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ericman197

I find many of the traditionally listed composers to be a bore. My favorites are Tchaikovsky (yo March Slave rocks my sox) and Wagner.

I knew I forgot someone! I was trying to stick to the "greats" as we all have personal favorites and the poll would have 200+ names.. but Richard Wagner should have been on there.. oh well..

**john turner** · #8 06-20-2006, 10:09 PM

i'm much more into modern composting. less stinky.

giggity giggity giggity!!!

runs away.

SamJ · #9 06-20-2006, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john turner

i'm much more into modern composting. less stinky.

giggity giggity giggity!!!

runs away.

You will vote and not troll my thread or I'll report you to a moderator!

... ops. ahh.. I mean.. . never mind..

Correlli · #10 06-20-2006, 10:19 PM

Arcangelo Corelli

thekyle · #11 06-20-2006, 10:29 PM

I will take Bach's Fugue in Gm (Little Fugue) over anything. Plus, it is fun to play on the bass, especially if you can find about 4 other people to play it with.

**cheezewiz** · #12 06-20-2006, 10:49 PM

JS Bach.

Aaron Saunders · #13 06-20-2006, 11:11 PM

I'm kind of disappointed by the lack of Stravinsky on this list, especially considering the regard he showed to the bass section in his more famous works -- the Rite of Spring and the Firebird Suite.

Other than that, I'd have to answer JS Bach, Beethoven or Chopin. Beethoven partly because, once again, of the regard shown to the bass section in his symphonies. Chopin because his catalogue of piano compositions and some truly beautiful duets, and Bach for his unparalleled library of music for a variety of instruments.

lemur821 · #14 06-21-2006, 02:41 AM

I can hardly even answer this. So many choices! I like lots of the same guys you others do.

J.S. Bach -- Counterpoint is fascinating, and he's one of the best.
Arvo Part -- A contemporary composer who can do amazing things with variations.
Johann Strauss II -- I like a good waltz.

I feel like someone is slipping my mind, but I can't think who....

Deadworks · #15 06-21-2006, 03:53 AM

Out of the list I voted Handel. I also like Felix Mendelssohn and Richard Wagner. We played the Wagner song "Elsa's Procession to the funeral" in orchestra in college and I had goosebumps for a week after that performance.

Bruce Lindfield · #16 06-21-2006, 04:15 AM

I think my favourite is Mahler - his work really speaks to me, along with Messaien's !

But I like so many and don't think we need to choose just one!

addylewis · #17 06-21-2006, 04:23 AM

Karlheinz Stockhausen

..that guy is a genius!!

Bruce Lindfield · #18 06-21-2006, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john turner

i'm much more into modern composting. less stinky.

That reminded me of a well-known joke that I can't remember exactly!!

It's something to do with the sound of weird music coming out of a graveyard that scares a tourist and a local says - don't worry about that - it's just Beethoven - he's de-composing!!

EmmSee · #19 06-21-2006, 05:35 AM

Come on!!

Mahler?

Stravinsky?

Prokofiev?

Shostakovich?

I'm a composer and those 4 are definitely in my top 8 ...

SamJ · #20 06-21-2006, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmmSee

Come on!!

Mahler?

Stravinsky?

Prokofiev?

Shostakovich?

I'm a composer and those 4 are definitely in my top 8 ...

Believe me guys, I could have stacked 50 some odd names in this poll, but alas it was limited to 20, so rather than pick this or that "lesser" known great composer, I went with the safer names.. The only obvious mistake was leaving of Wagner..

I wasn't as clear as I should have been with my original wording however. We're looking for whom you believe is the "Greatest" composer of all time... So naming your favorite today, isn't what I was looking for, etc..

here is a snip of my original post, emphasis added.

Quote:

In another thread earlier in the bass forum, I and others digressed a bit into the discussion of classical composers. it was clearly off topic, so I decided I'd like to see what members think on the topic of classical composers, namely who's the "greatest" of them?

As with any poll, I'll not have every name on it, so you'll have to bare with me, and you can always "write in" your man.. We're listing Baroque, Classical period, and Opera composers.. as well as contemporary.. but must be classical, so no Pete Townsends!

I think the question of who is the greatest classical composer is a fair one.. sure, as with all things music, there are a lot of subjectives, so we can consider this an "opinion poll" and nothing more, but feel free to chime in the thread what it is you like or dislike about a particular composer.. you can also list others that you like.

So nobody please take offense that you personal favorite is not listed, you can list and discuss them in this thread, but tell me of of the above "Greats" is the greatest..

ether way, from these early results, I would seem JS Bach retains his title as supreme, which confirms my original intent in taking this discussion to a poll, and out of that "other" thread.