Classical Music Composers

 Lots of heavyweights here, buliwyf, and a good topic for this site, as prog often looks as much (or more) to classical for inspiration, as it does to rock or jazz.

I really like Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Hayden, Vivaldi and Tchaikovsky, and wouldn't want to part with the beautiful and timeless music of any of these giants, but I gave my vote to Handel, because I really LOVE his Water Music. ( I somewhat prefer Baroque in general -- Bach is especially good!)

It's perhaps my favourite -- I have a great version, on period instruments, by Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert (they're terrific) on the Archiv Produktion label. It is warm-sounding, majestic, joyful, elegant and uplifting. I want the final, triumphant movement to be played at the end of my funeral -- hopefully many years from now! Handel's Messiah is also lovely!

The first CD I ever bought, when the technology was new, was a digital recording of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. Great music for playing Risk! Love those cannons! Go Wellington and Allied forces! Boo Napoleon! 

 Sorry, Buliwyf, but my knowledge of this great music is really not that extensive. I have only around 40-50 classical/baroque/medieval cds, and most of what I know about these genres has been gleaned from the CD booklets, radio, and a smattering of reading here and there. (Beethoven and Mozart's histories are fascinating!) 

The "newer" stuff (Copeland, etc.) does not really interest me much (I stop around Tchaikovsky), but I have quite enjoyed hearing some Philip Glass -- and Steve Reich (?) -- over the years. Rather minimalist, but it grows on you.

Re the older stuff, I also quite enjoy Spanish composers like Rodrigo (sp?), especially when played upon the (classical) guitar. (Every Doors fan should know Rodrigo!)

You can't always rock out! Good music for mornings, reading, snoozing and... loving!

 

 

I'll give Stravinsky a vote for 'Firebird Suite'.I havn't got a clue really.Shouldn't Dvorak be in there somewhere? (again I havn't a clue!)

Shostakovich, Gustav Mahler and Carl Orff. On the list, Bach...

Loads of these composers are not "Classical", of course...

You've missed a GREAT cross-section of 20th Century composers, without whom prog may never have come to pass;

I refer, of course, to the likes of Stockhausen, whose almost unlistenable collages of tape are the foundation of modern music recording and sampling, Varese, who was a profound influence on Zappa, and Penderecki - one of my very favourite composers. If you can track down a copy of his "Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima", then I strongly urge you do so.

You may need either a strong stomach, or a taste for the very darker side of music, as parts of it are truly horrifying. Or, if you've got no imagination, very waily and screechy. But that's a philistine's opinon

Edited by Certif1ed

I took Stravinsky. One of my favourite pieces is Sacre De Printemps. I also like the work of Ligeti although this not really Classical. I loved the way some of his music was used in the film 2001 A Space Odyssey. Concerto De Aranjuez by Rodrigo I absolutely love. Miles Davis, Jan Akkerman and other  modern musicians. have taken a stab at this glorious piece

I've just bought something about: Gorecki,Shostakovich,Stravinsky,Janacek,Rachmaninov,Holst (preferred Fripp's classical composer)and Bach

looks like were gonna have to remove this poll.  apparently its not prog related and its not welcome here

Not here bro, not here.

 

w00tenhoek wrote: Not here bro, not here.