We performed this one with an 80 voice University Concert Choir. It was extraordinarily difficult but very satisfying when we got it right.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rVLq5gJNSN8?si=zLN1hhrror2EdhTf" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Old School: Ludwig Van
New School: Copeland
Too cool for school:
<iframe width="525" height="394" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PMuePyV1nr8" title="Emerson, Lake &amp; Palmer - Fanfare For The Common Man - Live In Montreal, 1977" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Weirdest thing happened to me the other week.
At about the same time this thread came out, I went to help out at a local clinic I work in 2 days a month. There was a new hire there.
He didn't know jack squat about me, yet, his first question was " who is your favorite composer?"

..."That's weird" I thought.- How did we even establish I liked music? Not only that, how would he know to ask me about composers? That would be like walking up to a random stranger in a walmart parking lot and asking the same.

"WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE COMPOSER?Q?!?!?!?!"
"I don't want any trouble... here ... take my wallet!!!"

And after this composer thread, I was wondering "what 'even' is a composer?" I chuckled to myself and muttered something about this thread, but was so befuddled by his query, I didn't have an answer.

When I go back next week, I will have had some time to think things over.

Early (1500)- Thomas Tallis
by Kronos Quartet-This is THE most timeless song in all of history. It meanders on to nowhere, yet for 500+ years old does just fine! Originally a 40 part voiced "motette" or whatever, it even includes intentional dissonance in the structure.Kronos Quartet can be hit or miss... Here they hit.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFl875yOgpY?si=7g2PVkYCepyWXY9W" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Bach is obvious, but can be played so well... Here's a low end version.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CNdVvOtTV70?si=Tt98cf1pIfSqzJ6-" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Mid 20th' century Astor Piazzolla
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WdiQCHLd51Y?si=PO8rba3K1edJuwWg" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

John Williams was mentioned... Here ya' go!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J1gH_cjdb60?si=G4mP3txhwOS8KvJO" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

AH crap... more Bach

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HK-CRj-XL-E?si=eesF4g9y0a8AfFmd" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Giacomo Puccini

That was originally written for violin and is incredibly difficult play on guitar. For comparison here is my favorite violinist playing the heck out of it. But the violin doesn't require a 6 FRET STRECH!

<iframe width="960" height="540" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pr_gK9fzwSo" title="J. S. Bach: Partita No. 3 for Solo Violin, BWV 1006 - Hilary Hahn" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Classically, by tastes tend to be centered on the classical and Romantic eras, and to more modern Russians like Rachmaninov. I particularly enjoy Beethoven’s piano concertos. But in the absence of my ability to highlight one piece at the moment, I will switch to popular music; my favorite popular composer is probably Ernesto Lecuona. I have a two-disc set of recordings from the 50s of him playing his own compositions on solo piano that I enjoy on Sunday mornings while making breakfast. An example:

<iframe width="873" height="655" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FxUDT_bSo0Y" title="Ernesto Lecuona - Andalucía - Anat Navarro" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

All of it, on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4HzR5oANaHO8bNtzpSpfcl

Classically, by tastes tend to be centered on the classical and Romantic eras, and to more modern Russians like Rachmaninov. I particularly enjoy Beethoven’s piano concertos. But in the absence of my ability to highlight one piece at the moment, I will switch to popular music; my favorite popular composer is probably Ernesto Lecuona. I have a two-disc set of recordings from the 50s of him playing his own compositions on solo piano that I enjoy on Sunday mornings while making breakfast. An example:

<iframe width="873" height="655" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FxUDT_bSo0Y" title="Ernesto Lecuona - Andalucía - Anat Navarro" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

All of it, on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4HzR5oANaHO8bNtzpSpfcl

And Roy Clark playing his Malagueña:
<iframe width="873" height="655" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lxDQQDF6j0Y" title="Roy Clark - Malaguena" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

What a challenging question. I am a huge music fan. Played in Orchestra from grade 4 - 12. Played Jazz Band grade 8-12. (Louis Armstrong Jazz Musician of the Year 1984!!!) Played hard rock grade 8-college. And played in a post-punk / pre-grunge band 1985. And have no idea where to start with answering. Most of my consumption is in the blues inspired rock genre but it goes all over the place. Summary: I am but an infant in my musical education and simply can't begin to answer. Maybe in 50 more years?

IMHO you don't need a degree to have a favorite composer. You are free to like what you like. I have a great admiration for anyone able to compose music. I have a good understanding of how music is constructed following Bach's basic rules. So, while I greatly admire Bach,Brahms,Mozart,Gershwin,Copeland ,Price and so many others it is Beethoven that speaks to my soul.

Excuse me;
The blues are the roots and the other musics are the fruits.

Except that the Blues didn't really come around until the mid-19th century.

My favorite composers are 1) Carole King and 2) Bernie Taupin.

Carole King wrote so many amazing songs.

Mozart
Bach
Beethoven

I'll upset the thread...

Mozart

Or

Garcia/Hunter


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I have yet to hear a single piece by Debussy that I want to give a second listen to.
Many, I'd prefer to leave the room and get away.

My favorite from the classics is Mozart.

There's a lot I could still learn, a lot I have yet to listen to on a decent sound system with a decent recording or a live performance.


From modern times, Japanese composers dominate what I listen to.
I am thankful for their extensive use of cultural appropriation during the 90's and early 2000's.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ksh4KpuZLJk?" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

You aren't kidding. Weirdly, Leo Kottke (a guitar player - of all things) talks about how restrictive a guitar is. Hearing this guitar version blew me out of the water- A whole new approach to something so engrained. She played to the instrument's strengths. It's cool to see the bowed version alongside. Also- I shared this with some pen pals across the world (who also like classical) - and they stated the same thing you did! A very universal concept! :D

Well, this is a difficult question.

Give it a go!

It's a real mystery to us all.