NationStates Jolt Archive

Who is the greatest musical composer (known to us) of all time?

In music circles are the Big Three: Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven. By many, they are considered to be the top musical minds of all time.

My choice is Mozart. His brilliance is unmatched by anyone before him or after him... he was a musical genius who was "fluent" at piano and violin by the age of 4 (or 5), was writing short works before 10 and full operas in his early teens.

But the proof is in the pudding (talent/genius alone do not a great composer make), and Mozart has many Greatest Hits, including:

Symphony #40

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

Turkish March

The Marriage of Figaro

Requiem


...and two others that are both big hits but that I only recently discovered and fell in love with, and you MUST listen to them(!):

Clarinet Concerto in A

Piano Concerto in A - K488 (Adagio)

Mozart was #1 in my book.

Anon. I LOVE her stuff! :D

No really, Mozart is my fave.

Bach is my favourite on the poll, but my favourites of all pre-1950s composers are Sibelius, Debussy, Mahler and Tchiakovsky.

I think Debussy was the best. Probably the most important ever was Bach.

Not to bash Mozart though. I do like K488.

I like Chopin

I haven't heard much of any of them, but I like what I have heard of Bach.

Personally, I like Mozart. But I think Beethoven was probably the most talented. And Bach was the father of modern music. So, all three.

The composer I listen most to, after Dylan, is probably Liszt. But I'd also give Rachmaninov a mention.

Out of the poll...I can't decide...I admire them all.

Other than the poll, I adore Vivaldi and Chopin.

Eh, I'm not really a classical guy, but if pushed, I'll say...

Bach. Dunno why, I just prefer him to Mozart or that damn dog.

dvorak. dvorak had more respect for what a cello can do than any other composer who immediately springs to mind. therefore, i <3 dvorak.

Chopin was pretty nifty with the cello - or at least, composing for it.

Mozart is the bast followed probably by Beethoven or Chopin (I love piano works; the Rondo in G is my favorite). Mozart's concertos are my favorite works by him, followed by Cosi Fan Tutti.

I don't know that I'd place him among the greatest of all time, but I'd like to submit an honorable mention for Richard Strauss.

I like Chopin

Me too.

He is my dad's secretary's great-grandfather, as well.

I'd said Wagner for classical. Though many of my J-Rock bands completely blow me away for the expression and power of the vocals. X-Japan, Dir En Gray, GLAY. The UK band Nightwish is very emotional, but not as good as the J-Rock bands

Heck, I am listening to Dir En Gray right now. X-Japan is next.

One song that you should watch for: X-Japan's Art of Life, the live version is godlike. It is simply amazing at how well it flows and the power and beauty of it. Everyone who has ever heard the full thing will know the power of it.

How about George Frideric Handel - his Water Music and Royal Fireworks Music, not to mention the Messiah, are some of the most frequently played pieces of classical music.

No doubt in my mind: Mozart. Talent, genius and he has produced some of the greatest music i have personally ever heard. Beethoven may have been the innovator, but when it comes down to it Mozarts music is simply divine. It is the Gods' music.

Although I must admit I do listen to Mozart and Bach they are both far to stuffy and stuck up. Beethoven is pure emotion written down into music, I think the other two represent the false pristine that was expected of any European empire in those days.

I voted Beethoven because he is my second favorite musician of all time. His 5th symphony is the second greatest piece of music ever written.

The greatest of all time, however is Shine On You Crazy Diamond. Roger Waters gets the #1 slot in my book. :D

Composers .... my top 5, in order:

1. Charles Mingus
2. John Coltrane
3. Miles Davis
4. Thelonious Monk
5. Frederic Chopin

Tchakovsky's my favorite. At heart, he is a storyteller. Yet while he pens notes, his words are as poignant as the best authors, perhaps even better. I never fail to cry when I hear 1812 Overture, even if it isn't his best ever.
Otherwise, I like Beetoven. As you can see, I'm a big fan of Romanticism.

Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Chopin, Stravinsky they're all superb... along with many many more.

I don't really have a favorite but recently I've been obssessed with Wagner. I find his music to be absolutely riveting.

1. John Williams
2. James Horner
3. Yoko Kanno
4. Yasinori Mitsuda

I'm a big fan of powerful instrumental pieces.

Oh and I'm absolutely hooked on Ennio Morricone!

Dvorak.

John Cage, obviously.

3. Yoko Kanno


Yummy. :)

I was thinking on it seriously, and I realized...

Steve Harris!!!!!!! :p

I am a fan of Classical music, and as such I like most of the genius' like Motzart and Bach and Chopin, but the one that really clinches it for me is Handel; his 'HALLELLUJAH!' from 'MESSIAH' is one of the best arrangments I have ever heard.

You asked two different questions:

Greatest known, and who we thought was the greatest composer. To that end:

1) Mozart will be the greatest known, just for the sheer volume of stuff he put out.

2) I'll take Beethoven over Mozart any day of the week. :) I'll take Bach over the big M as well, but Beethoven is my fave of those listed.