Your favorite classical composers/works?

For all you R&R/blues/jazz fans looking to get a toe into classical and have been turned off by the popular romantic composers, none of which i am a fan of, except for 3 of Wagner's operas, ck out Pettersson/1911-1980 and Schnittke/1934-1998. Just try one work from each, Pettersson sym 7/BIS, and Schnittke concerto grosso 4/sym 5(the work is both a concerto grosso and a sym)/BIS.
I hope to see some postings next week from at least 3 or 4 of you guys.

I got into classical music relatively late in life (age 26), just on a whim, and discovered I really liked it. Particularly the late 19th century Romantic composers.

I think that classical music will survive just fine. After all, numerous cities have orchestras that are well attended. There is a segment of the population that still enjoys those performances.

But most important, classical music is often in the background in our society. Sometimes subtly, but noticeable nonetheless. We hear it on elevators, in cartoons, commercials, malls, and TV shows. (The TV shows, especially sci-fi shows, such as some of the Star Trek incarnations, have original scores for each episode. I would classify that as modern classical music. Just imagine those TV shows without that background music.)

Classical music still has a following in the Western world. It's not the forefront in pop culture, nor should it be; that spot is limited to the new and cutting-edge. 50 years from now rap music will be in the same place that jazz is right now: Still has a following, though not in the forefront.

Michael

Future of classical in western culture?

It's questionable. IMO, the recording industry is not entirely to blame. Interests are developed during childhood. Interests in classical music, classical literature, art or anything else for that matter begins with parents. Then schools. It should be part of life from early childhood and be continually developed.

Will the classical/romantic traditionalist composers survive in the comming decades, or will the 20th century composers/stsrting with Debussy, over take the previous classical forms in popularity?

Well, depends what you mean by "survive". What was written by classical composers before, during or after Debussy will most likely not go anywhere. Listener's tastes in music may shift with time, age, even mood...that would be me :)

Don't you want your kids to have at least some
knowledge and interest in classical?

I do my best to educate my 4 year old son in classical music, literature and art. I am grateful to my parents for doing it when I was growing up and am kind of continuing the tradition. I try to play a lot of classical music for my son and he already knows some composers. His favorite is Tchaikovsky. He likes Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Romeo And Juliet. A way to make him become interested in a classical piece is to tell him a story associated with it. Works wonder. At least for my kid. Of course he also listens to a lot of music for kids as well. I wouldn't want to rob his childhood of anything.

Do you see yourself growing more interested in classical?

yes. Funny how with classical music yo can discover something new every time. My recent discovery is a French composer Francis Poulenc. I highly recommend checking out his works, for example Sabine Meyer with Oleg Maisenberg on EMI. His violin sonata is excellent as well, as are his other works.

Why classical has not made a more important impact on western culture, as we witness more money is spent on pop music than classical? In fact here in the states, I'd say more money is spent on all other music forms vs classical. Does a culture's music reflect its life style and and reveal the culture's attitudes, beliefs, values?

Just try to come up with a list of the most popular programs on TV. American Idol, etc.
That should give you a hint.
Who wants to spend money on something that does not pay dividents in dollars. The music industry makes money on what's popular now. Justin Timberlake, etc.
Why would they want the public to switch all of a sudden to classical music? Do you think they will stop making Justin Timberlake CDs? Tabloids, newspapers, TV shows, they all make money on pop stars.
What kind of coverage was there on TV when Rostropovich died? Or when Pavarotti died? Some wouldn't even have a clue who Rostropovich was.
I think it is all in our hands though. Therefore there's still hope.