Thursday, June 19, 2014

Favorite Living Composers?



The modern day version of classical music can be found in movie soundtracks. This is not to disparage those composers. Many of them are excellent and no doubt the film biz pays well.

I do, however, have a question for those of you who are classical music buffs. 

Who are your favorite living composers outside of the movie soundtrack arena?

11 comments:

Kurt Harden said...

Philip Glass

Michael Wade said...

Kurt,

Thanks. I confess that I'd forgotten about him although I did think of John Adams.

It is rather sad that we can't quickly name five or ten.

Michael

Eclecticity said...

I can't for the life of me, yet, appreciate Mr. Glass.

Then again, everyone's ears are different.

But I urge you both to become familiar with Christopher Tin. Dare you.

E.

Eclecticity said...

And the former, from a non-buff. E.

Steve said...

It is sad that I can't think of more than a handful, and I have to search back through my memory to remember those. One I recently came across for the first time and really enjoyed is Wim Mertens:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT2uTUJP6Bs

Steve said...

Another I came across for the first time this past Christmas season is Morten Lauridsen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7ch7uottHU

It took me a lot longer than it should have to come up with two more!!!

CincyCat said...

Adele! Also, Andrew Lloyd Webber. (I majored in voice, so I usually prefer music with lyrics.) :)

Steve said...

Here's another one I came across:

Arvo Part, "Fratres"
http://youtu.be/pTCTaKrLC0Y

I came across this via the duo Lana Trotovsek on violin and Yoko Misumi on piano.

According to Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arvo_P%C3%A4rt
"Part has been the most performed contemporary composer in the world for three years in a row."

Michael Wade said...

Steve,

Thanks!

Anyone named Arvo deserves to be checked out.

Michael

Steve said...

I have All Classical Portland streaming in my office this morning, and they just played a lovely short piece by James Whitbourn, "Adagio for String Quartet." Here's a link: http://youtu.be/W-lyUxfyQXY

Michael Wade said...

Steve,

Thanks for the link! I am not familiar with that composer. Will check it out.

Michael