Thread: Greatest Symphonic Composers of History

So, who's the best of the best? Obviously, I can't put all of music's finest within the limits of this poll, so if you have another all-time favorite, please enlighten us so we can get the CD or MP3.

(EDIT- clarification- I used the term 'symphonic' as opposed to 'classical' only to distinguish from popular music, and not to mean only those composers who wrote symphonies. Classical music is a fairly narrow time period of music ans I thought folks would argue about whether a baroque or romantic composer would qualify. I should have known better- folks here will argue about anything, so there's no way around it.)

Theognome

That's quite a list and difficult to pick however I just went off of the piece that comes to my memory the most often and that is "Handel's Messiah". Love it! I know others on that list produced more classic masterpieces but that one takes the cake for me.

I voted for Rachmaninoff.

I chose Haydn (1732-1809). Not because he was the father of the symphony (he wasn't - but it was he who brought it to its first early maturity).

I chose him (1) because he's my favorite composer, and (2) the 200th anniversary of his death is the end of this month (May 31).

When you say symphonic composer do you mean composer of symphonies?

Originally Posted by py3ak

When you say symphonic composer do you mean composer of symphonies?

Yeah, I am pretty sure King David did not write any symphonies.

I vote for Bach.

Aaron Copland...though not prolific, was masterful.

I had to log in just to vote for Beethoven. J. S. Bach didn't even write symphonies. Go my friends, listen to the ninth. In the words of Charlie Brown, I can't stand it. I just can't stand it. In the words of Schroeder, 'DON'T LET THEM FOOL YOU, BEETHOVEN!

I only used the term 'Symphonic' to distinguish from popular music. Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern... any composer of non-popular music will do.

Theognome

Chopin never wrote any symphonic works of any kind. I think you should replace his name with two others: Mahler and Bruckner. My favorite symphonies are Brahms, Beethoven, and Dvorak. It would be hard to choose among those three.

Tchaikovsky is the best.

I voted Mozart simply because I like him best. Purely personal opinion.

Originally Posted by greenbaggins

Chopin never wrote any symphonic works of any kind. I think you should replace his name with two others: Mahler and Bruckner. My favorite symphonies are Brahms, Beethoven, and Dvorak. It would be hard to choose among those three.

He did write two concertos for piano and orchestra (Opp 11 and 21), as well as a fantasia for piano and orchestra.

Also, the post directly above yours explained that I was merely attempting to distinguish between popular music and 'classical' music.

Theognome

I had to vote for Beethoven even though some of my other favorite composers are on here. Beethoven did things no one ever did before. He was the bridge between the classical and romantic era. He took risks, he worked hard, he experienced the modernization of the piano forte. My favorite symphonies are numbers 3 and 7.

-----Added 5/16/2009 at 12:21:27 EST-----

Originally Posted by Ivan

I voted Mozart simply because I like him best. Purely personal opinion.

Although I love Mozart's symphonic works. I can't stand anything he has written for piano. Too much tinkling for my ears. Oh, and that awful harpsichord... really... I mean come on!

-----Added 5/16/2009 at 12:24:14 EST-----

Originally Posted by jaybird0827

I vote for Bach.

So you like sewing machine music too eh? lol

Love his fugues!

Haydn

I really like Liszt, but I had to go with the sheer genius of Mozart.

Mozart's music touches my heart and makes my spirit soar...as I said, purely personal and subjective.

Originally Posted by Simply_Nikki

I had to vote for Beethoven even though some of my other favorite composers are on here. Beethoven did things no one ever did before. He was the bridge between the classical and romantic era. He took risks, he worked hard, he experienced the modernization of the piano forte. My favorite symphonies are numbers 3 and 7.

I also voted Beethoven, though it's a tough choice. My personal faves of his are symphony #6 and Rondo Acapriccio.

Theognome

I have always liked Nikki, but some things cannot go unchallenged. Herewith a complete refutation:



And

Originally Posted by Theognome

Originally Posted by greenbaggins

Chopin never wrote any symphonic works of any kind. I think you should replace his name with two others: Mahler and Bruckner. My favorite symphonies are Brahms, Beethoven, and Dvorak. It would be hard to choose among those three.

He did write two concertos for piano and orchestra (Opp 11 and 21), as well as a fantasia for piano and orchestra.

Also, the post directly above yours explained that I was merely attempting to distinguish between popular music and 'classical' music.

Theognome

I am well aware of these works (I have a degree in piano performance, by the way). However, concerti are not really considered symphonic works, even if they use the forces of a symphony orchestra. By symphonist I had assumed you meant someone who wrote symphonies or similarly symphonic works. Chopin is not considered a symphonist by anyone I know in the musical field. I think his writing for orchestra in those works is simply dreadful, anyway. By anyone's reckoning, Mahler and Bruckner were far more important symphonists than Chopin, even accepting your definition of "symphonist."

Originally Posted by Theognome

I only used the term 'Symphonic' to distinguish from popular music. Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern... any composer of non-popular music will do.

Theognome

The term is 'legitimate' music.

I think to the masses, Mozart is the most accessible both musically and emotionally. What strikes me about his music is his ability to convey joy, which is hard to do. However, for me Wagner is utterly fascinating. His influence on the 20th century's music and politics can not be overlooked. In 3rd place is R. Williams -i just like his music.

Dvorak. "New World Symphony" rocks!

Tchaikovsky is a close second, with Mozart placing third.

Tchaikovsky is a close second to person most-deserving-of-being-forgotten-who-hasn't-been: although I do have a soft spot for his 5th symphony and his piano music for each month of the year.

Richard Wagner

How about Stravinsky

It was a hard choice between Mozart and Beethoven, but I would have to say that Mozart is slightly superior to Beethoven according to my ear!

Hendel

I really dislike the term "symphonic", because it implies something completely other than what we are choosing. I wouldn't put David in here simply because we have no clue what his music sounded like. He was definitely a master with lyrics.

I voted for Bach. His works are both beautiful and complex.

If we are talking strictly symphonies, Beethoven was a master, even though I don't really care for everything he wrote.

I'd agree with Mozart--- who said his "Papa" Haydn was the best.

Mozart and Beethoven were pikers compared to the sheer volume of quality work that my man Franz Joseph put out.

I voted Mozart. I found a composition of his for the glass armonica

If we're talking symphonies, it would be a toss up between Mozart and Beethoven (his 9th in particular). If we're talking about regular "legitimate" music: Bach.

Originally Posted by Theognome

So, who's the best of the best? Obviously, I can't put all of music's finest within the limits of this poll, so if you have another all-time favorite, please enlighten us so we can get the CD or MP3.

Theognome

Hello friends of classical music,

From the poll list, Brahms & other: Ottorino Respighi - The Pines of Rome, The Fountains of Rome or my favorite of the 3 - The Festivals of Rome below

I chose Gustav Holst because I'm partial to his Planets' that has been influential in symphonic sci-fi soundtracks. But whole list is fantastic!! Classical is the most superior form of music then AC/DC and 90's dance music!!

Wow, this is so difficult. I listen to music based on my mood, so as much as I enjoy Mozart, there are times only Mendelssohn will do.

So, because I'm reading Eusebius, it will have to be Bach.

I think I am very weird.

Dvorak, though I suppose it could be argued that his music was popular.