Your Three Favorite Composers

[mahler10th]

Atterberg, Bruckner, Sibelius

other three for regular cheats:

Tchaikovsky, Richard Strauss, Mahler

this kind of thing...

[TheGSMoeller]

If I look back at the history of my listening career (like I'm getting paid for it) it would have to be R.Strauss, Prokofiev and Britten.
But in the past few years I've certainly been listening to more Haydn, Rameau and Berg. , soooo take your pick...I don't like this thread.   

[ibanezmonster]

Easy. Same as it has been for the last 7 or 8 years.
1. Mahler
2. Prokofiev
3. Brahms

[Mirror Image]

Sorry, I can't respond to every post but thanks to all for participating!

In related news, I asked my Dad for his top three picks and without hesitation they were: Mahler, Dvorak, and Liszt.

[springrite]

Sorry, I can't respond to every post but thanks to all for participating!

In related news, I asked my Dad for his top three picks and without hesitation they were: Mahler, Dvorak, and Liszt.

Dad has slightly better taste than son, I'd reckon...

[Mirror Image]

How does a composer that you half hate make it as your favorite?

I do not hate Schnittke's music anymore. Hate is such a strong word, I remember I actively 'disliked' it, but didn't hate it. Anyway, have you read the Schnittke thread in the past couple of months? I had a major breakthrough with his music and as a result of this he has ended up superseding so many of my other favorites. I found a connection in his music that I haven't felt in another composer's music. This is a connection that isn't superficial or homogenized. It's 100% admiration for what he managed to accomplish despite his ill health.

[Mirror Image]

Dad has slightly better taste than son, I'd reckon...

No question about it! What I like sucks big time!

[AnthonyAthletic]

Has to be the hardest thread of the Year this one....a bit like a Man going to the Hangman and having his last favourite meal ever...Starter, Main & Desert.

As the words "can not live without" are included then;

Beethoven
Mahler
Vaughan Williams

Hard to dump these gusy...Bach, Bruckner, Brahms, Dvorak, Stravinsky, Shostakovich but one has to!

Just my opinion but good ole Beethoven has everything needed, Mahler has My World stage for the Symphony, and Vaughan Williams is the English equivalent, to me, albeit modernish who's music is so accessable as your choices are to you.

Can't help whom we love 


Disclaimer : I could not include or consider Haydn as I am a total novice where his music is concerned...a few masses and the London/Paris symphonies, couple of quartets, cello/vc cons etc.  DRDavies complete box set of symphonies on the way from the USA for £17 

I see and hear Haydn is well liked on these boards

[Mirror Image]

Can't help whom we love 

Wise words and thanks for participating! I never said picking only three was going to be an easy choice, but I'm glad that so many of you have given me straightforward answers so far. Remember NO honorable mentions and NO second guessing. This is your list of three composers that you will take to that desert island because you can't imagine yourself without their music in your life.

[SonicMan46]

Well, I'll just pick one from the Baroque, Classical, & Romantic Periods:

Bach, Hydzart, & Dvorak - 

Now to go along w/ the Bs and the periods above - Bach, Boccherini, & Brahms - Haydn vs. Mozart - probably Wolfie?  Dave

[DavidW]

Dave hard to stop without Schubert, Brahms and Shostakovich.

[mc ukrneal]

This is your list of three composers that you will take to that desert island because you can't imagine yourself without their music in your life.

I'm a bit confused. My three favorite composers are probably not the same three I would take to a desert island. So I am not clear on what you want to know.

[mszczuj]

Beethoven, then Bach and then there is really a hard choice Haydn or Mozart, probably Haydn.

[Sergeant Rock]

I'm a bit confused. My three favorite composers are probably not the same three I would take to a desert island. So I am not clear on what you want to know.

I'm having second thoughts too    If it's the desert island for life, then I might choose Mozart, Haydn and Bach because their output was so vast. I'd have nearly 2000 works to choose from. If I took Mahler, Bruckner and Wagner I'd be stuck with 75 or so!

Sarge

[springrite]

Why always "desert" island? Most islands I know are quite pleasant, and some are known as "Virgin" islands. Most deserts seem to be on the continents.

If I were indeed on an desert island, I may decide to trade in my music for something else...  I will simply sing the music myself.

[kishnevi]

I'm having second thoughts too    If it's the desert island for life, then I might choose Mozart, Haydn and Bach because their output was so vast. I'd have nearly 2000 works to choose from. If I took Mahler, Bruckner and Wagner I'd be stuck with 75 or so!

Sarge

But what 75 works they would be!

Since I chose Bach, Mozart and Mahler,  I wouldn't face the dilemma you do.

[kishnevi]

Why always "desert" island? Most islands I know are quite pleasant, and some are known as "Virgin" islands. Most deserts seem to be on the continents.

If I were indeed on an desert island, I may decide to trade in my music for something else...  I will simply sing the music myself.

I think "desert" in this phrase means "not inhabited by people" (as in 'deserted').

The Virgin Islands are more properly dessert islands:  they're a nice after dinner sail away from each other if you want to island hop.

[Daverz]

Prokofiev, Haydn, and Dvorak will do for today.

[kyjo]

Atterberg, Bruckner, Sibelius

You and I will get along quite well, then!

[kyjo]

My first choice is still Vaughan Williams, who became a personal favourite in the 1970s, when I was 15. He still is. Second and third choices have differed over time. Today (:-)) they are Tubin and Holmboe.

Three excellent composers, Johan! Their music has meant a lot to me since I first discovered it.