We all know the massive influence that the so-called classical music world has had on popular music in general, and prog in particular.

So please vote and comment.

For me the 20th century stuff is most compelling.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.schoenberg.at%2Fdiskographie%2Flabels%2Frecsupra.htm&psig=AOvVaw1w_ohu1NB4RDGThb5Ti2cH&ust=1618601621445000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCJieuYf_gPACFQAAAAAdAAAAABAX" rel="nofollow">

My favourite Danish composer is Carl Nielsen. Here, his 5th symphony.

For me too, it is mainly the 20th century composers that are most interesting...

Stravinsky is in the list, but I also very much like Prokoviev and Shostakovitch, regarding the Russians. Otherwise it could be Messiaen, Eisler, Schönberg, Varèse, Boulez, Pärt, Stockhausen (also in the list), Xenakis, Reich... But from all these I think Arnold Schönberg is the most important and most influential composer of this era.

Interesting to see Tallis mentioned, but he seems to me a bit the odd one out...

Yes, Philip Glass and Steve Reich are generally regarded as avant-garde, modern-day classical composers who are both still composing, not decomposing. 

I like Debussy and Gustav Holst (a funny name for an Englishman!) too, although I mainly know their music by way of Isao Tomita's electronic 1970's LP's: Snowflakes Are Dancing & The Planets Suite.

I also have a special fondness for English composers such as Frederick Delius, Edward Elgar, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Benjamin Britten.

I'm also part of the 20th century crowd; Stravinsky and Ligeti are my favourites. Stravinsky is on the list, so  will pick my vote.

Sorry folks I screwed up on this poll forgetting to include Handel.

For me the greatest composer will always be Beethoven, followed by Bach, Tallis, Britten & Vaughan Williams.

Psychedelic Paul wrote: Philip Glass

I almost included him, but it was difficult whittling it down to 24 choices, plus 'other'.

Unbeatable when it comes to melodic keyboard music - I chose 'Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring', and 'Sheep May Safely Graze' for my mum's funeral a while back.

Admittedly, I haven't heard of Tallis before, but I expect everyone has a handle on Handel. 

Gotta mention Sergei Prokofiev and Jean Sibelius, too. 

If you only ever listen to one piece by Thomas Tallis (1505-85), make it this one.

I've always been mesmerised by the power, emotion and passion in Beethoven's works, and of course he knew how to write some good tunes, and develop his musical themes as the piece progresses.  I've always thought it a great shame that he composed almost nothing for the organ which could show off the power and passion of his compositions to wonderful effect.  Maybe he just didn't understand the instrument, or considered that he couldn't improve on J.S. Bach.

Beethoven's comment on Bach: "He shouldn't be called "Bach" (German for "brook"), he should be called "Meer" (German for "sea")".

I didn't know that.

I didn't use the word "ocean" in translation because there is the German equivalent "Ozean". both "Meer" and "Ozean" mean the same though

From your list, I would pick Chopin and Mussorksky, the latter of which I figured would be more of a favorite among proggers (Pictures at an Exhibition anyone?)

I'm mainly a 'Symphony' guy.. 

Psychedelic Paul wrote: ... I like Debussy and Gustav Holst (a funny name for an Englishman!) too, although I mainly know their music by way of Isao Tomita's electronic 1970's LP's: Snowflakes Are Dancing & The Planets Suite.

By Holst I also really like: St. Paul's and Brook Green Suites. Also have a CD with the Cotswolds Symphony, Walt Whitman Overture, Japanese Suite and A Winter Idyll. I hear 'The Hymn of Jesus' too from time to time, here's a nice vid: https://youtu.be/WA-tUfeaAgU" rel="nofollow - https://youtu.be/WA-tUfeaAgU

Matti wrote: Generally I prefer the Romantic era, and Gustav Mahler is my choice. I love his orchestral colour and passion. ...

Mahler is great, especially when conducted by Leonard Bernstein. I especially love his 9th symphony and "Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen". "Ich hab' ein glühend' Messer, ein Messer in meiner Brust". just great.

there are so many composers that could be on the list. some of my favorites that are not on the list would have included Ravel, Gesualdo, Debussy and Shostakovich. two female composers would also have been on my list: Hildegard von Bingen and Barbara Strozzi (she was way ahead of her time in her compositions). here an example of each of the two women:

Hildegard von Bingen:

Barbara Strozzi:

Icarium wrote: I love exploring Vivaldi beyond 4 seasons, lots of nice pieces and suits and concertos

I remember another composer, I think it was Stravinsky, saying about Vivaldi that he wrote the same piece of music a thousand times. I would not fully agree, but there is some truth in it

That's a pitiful comment from Stravinsky if he made it.  To do the beautiful music he made in the 17th century with the resources he had to be knocked down 300 years later by a musician of the 20th Century is pretty sad really.

I had also voted for Vivaldi.

I looked it up; it was indeed Stravinsky. the exact quote is: "Vivaldi did not write 400 concertos, he wrote one concerto 400 times"

^ And that's the exact reason why I am so bored with Vivaldi.

When I was 14-15, I played in a junior string orchestra, and approximately half of the repertoire was concerti grossi by Vivaldi or Telemann. They were incredibly predictable.

My five favorite works:

1) Suk: A Summer's Tale, Op.29

2) Bruckner: Symphony #9 in d

3) Schubert: Piano Sonata in B flat (D.960)

4) Sibelius: Symphony #5 in E flat

5) Rott: Symphony in E

Since Jean mentioned Carlo Gesualdo: He killed his wife and her lover when he caught them in bed. Since he was a nobleman he got away with it (back in the 16th century this was possible). He did, however, regret it for the rest of his life and in repentance wrote very beautiful and very sad madrigals. Here an example: "Tristis est anima mea" ("Sad is my Soul"):

How about Henry Purcell? His best known work is the aria of the Genius of Frost from his opera "King Arthur". Sting and Klaus Nomi did interpretations of it (Sting very unconvincingly). Here Klaus Nomi in his last performance; he died of AIDS shortly afterwards and was most likely well aware that this was his last performance:

BaldFriede wrote: How about Henry Purcell? His best known work is the aria of the Genius of Frost from his opera "King Arthur". Sting and Klaus Nomi did interpretations of it (Sting very unconvincingly). Here Klaus Nomi in his last performance; he died of AIDS shortly afterwards and was most likely well aware that this was his last performance: [TUBE/]

Nice! I generally like English composers but barely know Purcell by name.. I already like Handel (though German-born), but would be interesting to search some operas there..  

I found it funny and interesting; kind of surreal... great and modern 'incidental' music and maybe the (only) male voices and/or setting got me too, you know, not your average opera.

By the way, put up with BaldJean videos too.. they're awesome as well. Particularly liked the Barbara Strozzi one.