favorite composer/classical artist?

[saturnfan]

As the title implies, who is your favorite composer/classical artist? I don't pretend to be an expert when it comes to classical music, but I have always enjoyed the work of Richard Wagner. Here is an example of one of my favorite pieces, "The flying Dutchman, overture"



Just so you, I know that Mr. Wagner is not the most laudable of individuals in history, that doesn't make his music any less great. So spare me the lecture.

[Xeogred]

I'm no expert on the big classics, but I absolutely love Jerry Goldsmith's work. Incredible stuff.

Basically I'm more into the older Hollywood composers that had a more thematic style than some of the stuff we hear today, INCOMING LOUD BASS...

[spiritplx]

That's awesome. I've wanted to get into some of the more classical "classics". I've been listening to some Beethoven, and here are some of my favorites (although obvious, I think).

Moonlight Sonata, first movement
Tempest Sonata, third movement
Symphony number 5, first movement (but check out all three movements)
Symphony number 9, first movement (but check out all four movements)
Für Elise

I think most people have heard these, as they are fairly popular (but for good reason). I hadn't heard any of the Tempest sonata until recently, but it's probably my favorite piece of his that I've heard.

I'm no expert either. I just know what I like. I hope more people post some of the "greatest hits" from the greats.

[Luke]

By far my favorite composer is Bach, but I play a whole lot more of Beethoven. Some of my favorite pieces to play include:

Six Easy Variations in G major (And yup, it's considered "easy".

Six Variations.

Moonlight Sonata is my favorite composition and "song" ever written, but I love Six Variations for the reactions I receive when I play it. I'm no where as near as "crisp" as the eight year old seeing play it though. That kid is a prodigy and a half.

If you're new to classical music, I'd suggest picking either Beethoven or Mozart and just start listening. I'm sure all of their compositions are available online for free. It won't take long before your ears will tell you what you do and don't like. For example, I love symphonies, but can't stand a violin duet (way too much intonation).

I hope this thread keeps going and it helps more people enjoy classical music. It hasn't gone away for a reason.

[dsheinem]

Sergei Rachmaninoff

[Sideroller]

These are just the ones I've listened to the most.
-Shostakovitch
-Bela Bartok
-Bach
-Liszt
-Igor Stravinsky (especially his Firebird suite)
-Mozart

I absolutely cannot listen to Beethoven. Maybe it's just because his music is just so over-saturated in our culture, but I dunno. I respect his work, but I don't have an ear for it. Sounds to normal to me.

[saturnfan]

When it comes to classical music I hate, I can't stand The Blue Danube by Strauss. I think primarily due to its overuse in movies and commercials. For those unfamiliar, here is a link. Although most people should recognize it right away:

Sergei Rachmaninoff

Excellent choice, I've been youtubeing some of his work. Great stuff.

[Xeogred]

You guys should watch the Legend of the Galactic Heroes anime. One because it's the best space drama ever and two the whole BGM is just classical music, haha. Here's the listing for season 1 for instance:
http://www.logh.net/classic/musics1.htm

[J T]

Sergei Rachmaninoff

Ditto.

I also like Bela Bartok and Beethoven.

[ZenErik]

Maurice Ravel would be my pick.