Anthony Tomassini's 10 Best Composers list

[speedy4500]

The inclusion of Bartok in a top 20 list would be offensive, let alone a top 10 that also omits Tchaikovsky.

My personal preference would include Rachmaninoff in there as well, probably in place of Wagner. Though I'm not a big fan of Bach, Brahms, or Mozart, they were so tremendously influential that you can't leave them out.

 

[antirabbit]

Bartok certainly does belong on the list....as far as 20th century concerti and symphonic rep. is concerned he was King.
Same case could be made for Prokofiev or Schostikovich (both whom I vastly prefer over Schubert).
However, I do feel Bartok was far more innovative and did more for both the further development of the symphonic forms, and certainly moved the bar upward for both the Piano and Violin solo rep.
From a technical level no one can approach what he did for these areas in the 20th century (Eugene Ysaye did some amazing writing, but nothing like the solo sonota for violin).

Mahler...come on.

I also would rank
1. J.S. Bach
2. Beethoven
3. Brahms

that should be the to three order.

 

[Thomas]

How I neglected to mention Tchaikovsky is a mystery, since I listen to him nearly as much as Beethoven.

Brahms really gives me fits: I love his concertos, but hate his symphonies, which surprises me a bit.

And I would put Beethoven at the top of my list, largely for the emotional qualities of his symphonies and the late piano sonatas. Bach is too cerebral for me to really pay attention to, but I suspect part of this stems from how little I know of musical theory.

 

[tagutcow]

Originally Posted by antirabbit

I also would rank
1. J.S. Bach
2. Beethoven
3. Brahms

Reminds me of the Stravinsky quote where he said that he listened to the three Bs... Bach, Beethoven, and James Brown.

 

[Thracozaag]

Cripes, I was hoping we were done being subjected to these ludicrous "Top Ten" lists with the passing of the millennium.

 

[Thomas]

^^^ Ah, but we're now a decade into the new millennium.

 

[Thracozaag]

Originally Posted by Thomas

^^^ Ah, but we're now a decade into the new millennium.

X infinity

 

[Thracozaag]

*sigh*; I'll give it a shot, but will separate into two different lists. When I hear "best", in terms of composers, I think of it in the total and comprehensive mastery in all genres (vocal (lieder/opera), symphonic/large ensemble, keyboard, and chamber music). The other list is just my personal favourites at the moment

Here goes:

1. Mozart
2. Bach
3. Beethoven
4. Haydn
5. Schubert
6. Schumann
7. Brahms
8. Debussy
9. Liszt
10. Bartok/Stravinsky

Chopin, Scriabin, Schumann, Schubert, Bach, Bortkiewicz, Liszt, Faure, Scarlatti, Tchaikovsky

 

[A Y]

I didn't realize Tomassini could self-faceplam so hard.

--Andre

 

[audiophilia]

My definitive list. Yes, definitive.

Mozart.

Da rest.

Honorable mentions to suck his kneecaps.

Beethoven
Brahms
Bruckner
Debussy

And that money-loving, re orchestrating for money, Beverly Hills-living, mo fo, Igor S.

As for Gustav M. He sux (cept for 9 and Das L)

 

[tagutcow]

Originally Posted by Thracozaag

4. Haydn

Good call.

Originally Posted by audiophilia

And that money-loving, re orchestrating for money, Beverly Hills-living, mo fo, Igor S.

Schoenberg lived in Brentwood. They played tennis together.

 

[A Y]

The concentration of important 20th century artists in LA was pretty amazing. But we all know LA has no culture.

--Andre

 

[musicguy]

Originally Posted by audiophilia

As for Gustav M. He sux (cept for 9 and Das L)

I can't imagine living without Mahler 1, 2 and 5.

 

[audiophilia]

Originally Posted by A Y

The concentration of important 20th century artists in LA was pretty amazing. But we all know LA has no culture.

--Andre

He died in his BH home.

 

[Gutman]

Oh dear. Bach is the musician's composer. Wonderful, but not actually that good a "composer". Opaque, impenetrable, unecessarily difficult to execute (for little corresponding gain), and not that effective on the concert platform. I love listening to and playing Bach though. I guess a lot of musos have more personal affection for Bach than any other.

I don't see how Handel can be overlooked in place of the some the relative 19th century mediocrities he rates. Handel was the first composer whose works have a continuous performance tradition (outside of church music). It's easy to be blinded by some of his popular works, but listen to him more carefully and i think you see what a genius he was (eg, the 12 Concerto Grosso, Opus 6). I can see why Beethoven liked him. Handel had a sure hand in musical exposition, musical economy, and was a *supreme communicator*. I struggle to think of more than a couple of other composers who could match him. Although it's a common example, I also struggle to think of any setting of text to music the equal of Messiah.

For various reasons, I would give Beethoven No1 slot, although I think he is advantaged in living through the "best" period for classical music.

As a matter of interest, I can see Montiverdi is historically very important, but surely Purcell is musically better?