Was Jim Morrison not mentioned?
Also, was the OP speaking of all genres or just rock/pop? If all, then maybe top 10 for each of the major genres: jazz, blues, pop, rock, classical...and each of these have distinctive sub groups.
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All genres. I would consider Morrison more on the performer side ie. Elvis, Sinatra, Armstrong. |
Barber is Universal !
Nobody would think Appalachian Spring and much of his work as American without the titles . Copland never did .
Barbers Ädagio is the unofficial National Anthem in times of grief ..Should be playing right now .
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To say Copland's music doesn't capture the American spirit...he incorporates our folk music, energy level, optimism. And nothing against Barber. Just very hard to make choices. Some day someone will. The big question will be them referencing this thread. Lol.
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Oops, Nick Lowe, like Tillbrook & Difford, is English. He was married to Carlene Carter for awhile (who hasn't been?), if that counts. By the way, Brian Wilson's favorite American (and perhaps universal) composer is Gershwin. He recorded a tribute album to him, which I haven't gotten up the nerve to listen to. |
It IS "hard to make choices" when considering two great talents such as Barber and Copland. However, there is no doubt in my mind that Samuel Barber was the greater of the two; and not by a little. The level of sophistication of his compositions and mastery of orchestration were on an entirely different level; not to mention a wider scope encompassing not just orchestral music, but opera and choral music as well.
I suppose an argument can be made that he was the "more American" (and not simply "American") of the two; if that is the subjective standard to be used . However, by that standard I would say that the music of Leonard Bernstein encompasses all that Copland’s did and more; by incorporating two quintessentially American genres, Jazz and Musical Theater. |
Surprised Michael Stipe had not made the list. |
What is the American Spirit ?
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Will get back to you asap. |
Optimism, confidence, a faith in democracy and capitalism. |
At least 50 other companies have all that with Japan leading the way .USA has one less as it is a Republic , not a Democracy . And make no mistake , that is a BIG difference !.
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My lord, what a bunch of old fogies. Anyone who has an ear on modern pop music, and certainly everyone in the music business, knows that Taylor Swift is the best songwriter of the last decade+. Should be on any list of the best American songwriters.
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Anyone who has an ear on modern pop music has bad taste .
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So all those ears on Straus during his popularity were bad taste? Many thought Mozart was just a juvenile sensation. I do agree most pop music will end in the cut out bin, but there are many classical examples of esteemed composers who are forgotten. I am doing a deep dive into Barber this week. Listened to Bernstein's "Age of Anxiety" yesterday. My list was meant to incorporate all genres, so many worthies were excluded. I appreciate the passion. And yes I am an old fogey, sort of inevitable.
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IF humans exist on Planet Earth two hundred years from now Mozart
will still be played and not one person alive will have heard of Taylor Swift.
For every one who saw Mozart a flash in the pan many more thought him a juvenile genius .
They are esteemed composers who are out of favor at present but some
have not forgotten them .Every day my FM station ,"Classical Minnesota", plays composers from four or five hundreds of years ago who are seldom heard but not forgotten .
I am old but not a fogey .
He is Risen !
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In 1967, Leonard Bernstein taped a one hour special for CBS, entitled "The Rock Revolution." He talked about some current Pop music he found to have musical worth and be of interest. At the center of the show was a segment on Brian Wilson and his "Smile" album project. Brian is shown playing and singing "Surf's Up" on the grand piano in his living room. Also discussed are The Left Banke and their baroque-influenced (songwriter/keyboardist Michael Brown was Classically trained) "Pretty Ballerina". His "Walk Away Renee" is also a real good song. Not all Pop is equal, anymore than is all anything.
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