Who is the Greatest (Not Favourite) Composer

No mahler!!! Are you kidding!! Or even Liszt!!!

I's amusing people are upset about a poll made two years and 2 months ago by a poster who stop posting about the same time period ago. It should go without saying that no list could ever encompass all composers who people think were the greatest. It should also go without saying that people are confusing who they personal like with who was really a master of their times. It's only natural.

For me, the choice came down to Mozart and Bach. I ended up picking Bach, because of the sheer complexity and his impact on music from that time to now. Lee has a strong argument for Mozart, but I suspect that if Bach was in Mozart's position, Bach could've done a lot more. Just an opinion.

As for the rest of the composers on the list, and the ones people complain are not on the list, I don't see much justification for calling any of them the greatest. I like their Mozart better, but in terms of talent, influence, technique, genres, and knowledge, I think they all lose out to Mozart and Bach.

Brahms or Beethoven, I cant decide.

I refuse to answer... I don't believe in wasting time debating superlatives.

Don't post then.

Originally Posted by flint-wwrr

I refuse to answer... I don't believe in wasting time debating superlatives.

We could debate who the second-to-best composer of all time is then!

I seriously cannot see how this question goes beyond Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart.

Actually, it's hard for me to see how any learned and honest musician could pick against Bach when it comes to the greatest.

But anyways, to each his own, even if it's incorrect.

Beethoven and Mozart, while they where both great composers, did not write music that had the same complexity or influence as Bach's music, imo.
The decision is pretty subjective, though.

Originally Posted by Invisionary

I seriously cannot see how this question goes beyond Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart.

Actually, it's hard for me to see how any learned and honest musician could pick against Bach when it comes to the greatest.

B

i think it comes from the belief that art is objective.

for those who don't believe art to be objective (instead, they think art to be subjective - that is beyond any count), there are plenty of options.

and 'honest' does mean objective, but, and only, in a relation to oneself. so, it's not necessarily has to do anything with learning as a dominion of knowledge (which is counting). it (honesty) derives its power from choice.

Originally Posted by Voce

B
The decision is pretty subjective, though.

it's the right part of your argument, but contradicting the previous one.

you can't have your cake and eat it too