NationStates Jolt Archive

Who's your favorite modern (post 1900) orchestral composer?
And what's their greatest work?

Gustav Mahler - Das Lied von der Erde

Ives - The Unanswered Question

Does Dvorak count?

I guess I'd go with Scriabin -- Sviatoslav Richter

O.K., Scriabin's not post-1900 (I thought he was), but it seems like it.

Should John Williams be considered a "classical" composer?

Jean Sibelius
-Finlandia

Should John Williams be considered a "classical" composer?

He certain should, in my books.

Bartok, I can't remember the name of my favourite piece right now as its at home and I'm not :(

Jean Sibelius
-Finlandia

Excellent!!

Can I list Sergey Prokofiev? Or would that be considered too neo classical??

Excellent!!

Yep. So far no "bad" choices (eg John Cage - only modern composer I'd say I really dislike).

Can I list Sergey Prokofiev? Or would that be considered too neo classical??

Lets see...
Post 1900? Check!
Orchestral? Check!

Yep, looks like it. :D

And a great compopser to boot.

(How many count "Peter and the Wolf" as their first orchestral piece to register in their memories? I do! And the suggestion that he probably wrote it as a tounge in cheek answer to Stalin's dictats on art makes me love it even more. :D)

Should John Williams be considered a "classical" composer?

Well .... anyone post-1900 can't be considered a "classical" composer anyway ... the classical period was 1750-1820. For example, Bach was not a classical composer, he was a baroque composer.

Anyway ... I'd have to go with the following:

Ulvi Cemal Erkin, Sinfonieta for strings
Steven R. Gerber, Symphony No. 1; Dirge and Awakening
Ralph Shapey, Songs of Life for Soprano, Cello & Piano
Philip Glass, Koyaanisqatsi
György Ligeti, Lux Aeterna (used in 2001: A Space Odyssey)
Richard Strauss, Salome (although his piece "Also sprach Zarathustra" is more famous, it was composed in 1896 and, thus, not post-1900)

However, as in most periods, the Russians pwn all! Nikolai Tcherepnin, Nikolai Yakovlevich Miaskovsky, Nicolai Karlovich Medtner ...

I could go on and on ...

The contemporary composer:

Dr. Dan Wanner Opus 1 - Leaving the Ivory Tower

Well .... anyone post-1900 can't be considered a "classical" composer anyway

:D
Yes, but that's why the question is framed as modern orchestral ("classical"), .


... the classical period was 1750-1820. For example, Bach was not a classical composer, he was a baroque composer.

Anyway ... I'd have to go with the following:

Ulvi Cemal Erkin, Sinfonieta for strings
Steven R. Gerber, Symphony No. 1; Dirge and Awakening
Ralph Shapey, Songs of Life for Soprano, Cello & Piano
Philip Glass, Koyaanisqatsi
György Ligeti, Lux Aeterna (used in 2001: A Space Odyssey)
Richard Strauss, Salome (although his piece "Also sprach Zarathustra" is more famous, it was composed in 1896 and, thus, not post-1900)

However, as in most periods, the Russians pwn all! Nikolai Tcherepnin, Nikolai Yakovlevich Miaskovsky, Nicolai Karlovich Medtner ...

I could go on and on ...

Can't argue with any of those. (Even Glass, whom I respect as influential and skilled, but don't necessarily like.)

:D
Can't argue with any of those. (Even Glass, whom I respect as influential and skilled, but don't necessarily like.)

Glass was a toss up, but his music works a lot better with visuals. I just hope nobody mentions Enya or Yanni ... *shudder* ....

Glass was a toss up, but his music works a lot better with visuals. I just hope nobody mentions Enya or Yanni ... *shudder* ....

:(

Actually my *real* favorite post-1900 orchestral/"classical" composer is non other than Eric L McIntyre (http://web.grinnell.edu/individuals/mcintyr2/composition/catalogue.html). (The fact that I am a proud older brother doesn't cloud his talent, does it?)

I'm not good with "favorite" categories. My favorite movie, book, music, etc. often changes with my moods.

I am impressed with Stravinsky. Anyone who can write a piece of music that causes a mini riot in a Paris theatre is definitely pushing the envelope in music.

He is not 20th century, but does anyone here know of a good, affordable (those two requirements may not be compatible) recording of Berlioz' Les Troyens?

He is not 20th century, but does anyone here know of a good, affordable (those two requirements may not be compatible) recording of Berlioz' Les Troyens?

Sure ... pull up your trusty P2P client (bearshare, kazaa, etc) and find it free! :)

:(

Actually my *real* favorite post-1900 orchestral/"classical" composer is non other than Eric L McIntyre (http://web.grinnell.edu/individuals/mcintyr2/composition/catalogue.html). (The fact that I am a proud older brother doesn't cloud his talent, does it?)

Ah ... I'm unfamiliar ... send me a CD and I'll let ya know! :D

Dmitri Shostakovich. His 11th Symphony is a modern masterpiece that was unfortunately condemned when it was written as "too cinematic". :headbang: Today, however, it is widely regarded as one of his best, if not, as it is in my opinion, his absolute best.

Sure ... pull up your trusty P2P client (bearshare, kazaa, etc) and find it free! :)

Thanks, but I don't mind paying for music (although my budget is limited). It is worth it. Also, my experience with my son's computer has been that Kazaa is a virtual petri dish of trojan viruses.

Quoth the composer:

All of these works are available from the composer. If you would like to examine any of these scores or hear sample recordings, please email me.

Some audio files are available here: Here (http://web.grinnell.edu/individuals/mcintyr2/composition/audiofiles.html)


(I will say my having influanced at least two of the compositions listed biases me - entierly :D If you really seriously want to know more, let me know via message or TG.)

Igor Stravinsky
Jean Sibelius
Sergei Rachmaninov
Yehudi Menuhin
Ennoi Morricone

Dmitri Dmitryevich Shostakovich--not just the greatest composer of the 20th century, but the greatest composer ever.

Suite No. 4 for the Ballet: Most beautiful thing ever written
Symphony No. 5: Most powerful
Novorossisk Chimes for Orchestra: Lovely

I could go on and on and on

Sibelius and Copeland

Third Symphony and Appalachian Springs respectively.

Sibelius and Bernstein

Yep. So far no "bad" choices (eg John Cage - only modern composer I'd say I really dislike).
Sorry, I like him, but only after having to study him for a few months. I grew to enjoy it but I wasn't listening just for enjoyment which probably made a difference.

Stravinsky (aka the compoer of the Star Wars soundtrack :p )

Does no one like Schoenberg?

I really can't name a favorite composer or piece, there are hundreds I love and I should mention but my memory and time don't work like that.

Schoenberg: Most of his violin works.
Webern: No specific piece, he just gets points for overall genius.
Berg: Wozzeck
Stravinsky: Rite of Spring for starters.
Copeland: A few of his pieces belong here.
Crumb: Dark Angels
Barber: Adagio for Strings
Penderecki: Stabat Mater

Edit: Missed Penderecki, I need at least one that's actually 'modern.'

Well .... anyone post-1900 can't be considered a "classical" composer anyway ... the classical period was 1750-1820. For example, Bach was not a classical composer, he was a baroque composer.

There's always one.....


Anyway-
I have to agree with whoever that I actually like Cage a lot. We had this Festival of New American Music in my music major days that initially I didn't like and I would make fun of 4'33" until one day I just got it, and a lot of the rest of his music. I really like Music for Prepared Piano.

Steve Riech-Different Trains and Shaker Loops
Polish guy who's name I hope to remember by the time I finish this, starts with a G, Goreycki-something like that, blanking-Symphony No. 3 and Amen
I hate that I'll say this, but there are some sax pieces by Michael Nyman that I like. The rest is drawn in a big black marker....
Generally speaking I like the choices made by The Kronos Quartet and The Rova Saxophone Quartet.
John Zorn-Music for Children
To not be totally weird-
Benjiman Britten-War Requiem, though I don't know his dates, so...
Blanking again, this time on a British guy who did Jesus' Blood's Never Failed Me and Sinking the Titanic wow-I really can't remember this cats name.....I'm not at home right now...I think it starts with a B.
I'm kinda into Z. Parkins, but I've only heard one collection of works, so...

Polish guy who's name I hope to remember by the time I finish this, starts with a G, Goreycki-something like that, blanking-Symphony No. 3 and Amen
I hate that I'll say this, but there are some sax pieces by Michael Nyman that I like. The rest is drawn in a big black marker....
Generally speaking I like the choices made by The Kronos Quartet and The Rova Saxophone Quartet.
John Zorn-Music for Children
To not be totally weird-
Benjiman Britten-War Requiem, though I don't know his dates, so...
Blanking again, this time on a British guy who did Jesus' Blood's Never Failed Me and Sinking the Titanic wow-I really can't remember this cats name.....I'm not at home right now...I think it starts with a B.
I'm kinda into Z. Parkins, but I've only heard one collection of works, so...
Polish guy is Gorecki.
Britten is definitely twentieth century.
Last guy is Gavin Bryars,

Polish guy is Gorecki.
Britten is definitely twentieth century.
Last guy is Gavin Bryars,
Thanks, that was killing me

There's always one.....


Well ... I *am* a music teacher.

I can't believe no-one has mentioned Sir Edward Elgar yet. Although he wrote a lot of music before 1900, he also wrote loads afterwards including the famous Pomp and Circumstance (land of Hope and Glory).

Any British classical lovers cannot deny that if you want a composer to represent Britain - Elgar is definitley the best.

My favourite piece of his is of course the Enigma Variations. Who can disagree that Nimrod is one of the most moving pieces of all time.

So - my vote's for Elgar.

Dmitri Shostakovich. His 11th Symphony is a modern masterpiece that was unfortunately condemned when it was written as "too cinematic". :headbang: Today, however, it is widely regarded as one of his best, if not, as it is in my opinion, his absolute best.

Definitely - plus the second piano concerto, the 5th symphony and the orchestral suite 'Five Days-Five Nights'. I'd also include:

Prokofiev - Any of the piano concertos, and Aleksandr Nevsky, and Love for Three Oranges

Poulenc - Gloria

I'd also throw in Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances, Milhaud's 'Le Boeuf sure le Toit' and maybe the Benedictus from the Armed Man by Karl Jenkins - maybe.

Khachaturian violin concerto is in there though, as are the Bartok piano concertos.

And if we need a brit, make it Holst or Britten rather than Elgar.

And yes, I think Williams probably does count. In the same way Salieri counts. He isnm't groundbreaking or anything, but thats no real reason to get snobbish and not like him I guess.