the (real)classics

[Farlo]

since i started coming to the ORG, i have noticed that no-one has mentioned any of the classics(correct me if i am wrong).
this leaves me to think that maybe no-one listens to classical music. if you do, list your favorite composer.

mine would have to be either Fryderyk Chopin, or Beethoven.

[Tom the Fish]

Beethovan's Ode to Joy is perhaps one of the greatest songs ever written. My favorite version is the one played just after the fall of the berlin wall, which I have on a VHS I taped off tv. The quality of it is going downhill, however

Grieg's Peer Gynt is a masterpiece. Evry Christmas I'll drag out Handel's Messiah.

After that, I'm a big fan of Tan Dun and Terry Reilly. For an indie rock twist, Chaos Angel and I have been discussing the Rachels, who I really enjoy.

Ave Maria is another fave of mine that I insited being played at our wedding.

Tom

[Kai Stromler]

Percy Grainger == king of orchestral/wind band composers. Shostakovich is also a favorite.

And of course, among modern/currently operating composers, Daniel Bukvich is THE MAN. Frank Ticheli has some good credits, but Bukvich's stuff is just INSANE.

The coolest piece I've ever played in a wind or orchestral setup, though, would have to be Russel Peck's "Cave of the Winds". Of course, half the fun in that was stealing the plants to furnish the stage with, and only then did the playing-tweaked-out-fretless-electric-bass-with-sunglasses-in-the-dark part come in. Johan de Meij's "Aquarium" was a real trip, too, and his LoTR-inspired symphony is also supposed to be excellent. Francis McBeth's "Of Sailors And Whales" is probably about third.

--K

[ithaqua]

Pachelbel Canon, Eine Kleine Nactmusik, In The Halls of the Mountain King, the score to Phantom of the Opera.

Unfortunately, high school band did a lot to destroy my appreciation of classical music.