June 15, 200619 yr I tried to only pick 10 composers for this poll. It was relatively easy until it came to the last choice. I had a hard time picking the last composer. I tossed around names such as Schubert, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Gershwin and Prokofiev. The other nine I had set in my mind. The last one was a total flop. It could have been anyone. I did not chose Bach or Handel or anyone Baroque because the instrument of choice back then would have either been the harpsichord or the organ. I think I came out with a good list. I definitely think that these are the greatest in my opinion. For the answer to the poll I chose Debussy hands down. Sure, the others are beyong great, but Debussy is so different. He is so beautiful and impressionistic. His harmonies are so gorgeous and innovative and his melodies so creative. It is not just like he wrote a melody and set it off as a separate line of thought or a separate idea. He incorporated his melodys into a "soundscape" for lack of a better way to describe it. I am partial to Impressionism myself so my second choice would have probably been Ravel or Rachmaninoff (greatest of romantic period). Anyways, do not get irrate about any composer that "should" be on this list. I only chose ten and yes my own opinion did influence the outcome. I love Impressionistic/Romantic stuff but can appreciate earlier classical as well. I cannot see any rhyme or reason in the ultra-modern atonal stuff, though. I don't even care enough to be very well versed in it. So, sorry Chris-Dunn, your chose probably will not be on the list. Amyways, vote away; and if you would like, put this list in favorite to least favorite mode. You could also tell who your favorite piano composer is if yours is not on my list. :) P.S. - most people would probably think that Brahms is a strong candidate for this list, but I am just not a huge fan or anything Brahms at all. Sorry. I put Mendelshonn instead.
June 15, 200619 yr This poll is very opinionated, and therefore useless. The question should be ''which of the composers i like best do you like best?''. :)
June 16, 200619 yr Author This poll is very opinionated, and therefore useless. The question should be ''which of the composers i like best do you like best?''. ;) I could agree with that, but I am not about to say anything like, "Cage is one of the great composers of piano literature." Regardless of opinion, I think I have some of the 10 best for this category. Who do you like and who do you think should be on this list and who do you think should be off of the list? Do you care for Brahms? Alex - Bartok is no where near as accomplished as a piano composer as these are. He may have written a great piece or two, but he does not have volumes of brilliant and revolutionary compositions that should be studied. John - If you have a link to a recording of any of those pieces I would love to hear them. Please post a link if you can.
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