Originally posted by Shallow Blue
Undoubtedly
But I am interested in 2nd and 3rd raters. I want to hear what composers have to say regardless because I am always on the side of the composer.
So what, if anything, is your opinion on James MacMillan? I only have the one CD of him (Scotch Bestiary et al.), and I found that amusing, but in the end unsatisfactory.
[ ...[text shortened]... inds of Bach is somewhat pointless. It's all the best in its field.
Richard
So what, if anything, is your opinion on James MacMillan? I only have the one CD of him (Scotch Bestiary et al.), and I found that amusing, but in the end unsatisfactory.
I will try to check this person out and get back to you about my first impressions.
James MacMillan I never heard of.
I think I mentioned upthread that, of 20th century composers, I do like Respighi, and quite a bit of Ravel.
YouTube, for me, has rescued Respighi. I am not on YouTube hearing all kinds of Respighi works I never heard before.
Of course the Pines ... works I have known for years.
I never cared for the Ancient Dances thing.
But I heard a Violin concerto of Respighi that was lovely.
And since I tracked down other chamber works and orchestral of Respighi that are hard not to like.
Somewhat lighter. Less brooding and Germanic in philosophizing.
Beautiful tonality in the midst of a turn away from it in the 20th century is Respighi.
I don't know why. I really don't know why. But it is hard for me not to like the French composers of the 19th and 20th century. Of them Ravel is at the top.
But I would recommend also
Albrich Magnard. Start with the 4th symphony. Little heard of in the US but georgeous.
And of course Poulenc and Faure wrote some georgeous music to my taste. Chausson also - really pretty. Saint Seans, I probably would not have liked as a friend. But his music is good.
Someone can by talking about Stochousen - the more modern style. For the modern style the Frenchman Messian, better yet Detilleaux (but I know I am not getting the spelling correct).
And yes, I also like Vaugh Williiams. Britten, not so much. I recognise the quality in his work, but I can't listen to it for long. Then again, my sister's choir sings his "Yif ic of luve can" (from "Sacred and Profane" ), and it's good. They have the advantage of a really good soprano, of course. (And I don't think I've heard any Bax.)
Try some Bax
Tone Poems first. Then try some symphonies -. 5th, 4th, 3rd.
Festaval Overture - not yet on YouTube, is great.
Cello concerto of Bax I recommend.
I think I like keyboard Bach over other kinds of Bach.
You're not the only one. I think I prefer his string music, just, but for me choosing between different kinds of Bach is somewhat pointless. It's all the best in its field.
Among composers, perhaps Bach is the most respected. I have known very modern composers who still learn something from Bach and speak highly of him.