Most underrated composer of 20th Century?


My choice is Bohuslav Martinu .
schubert
Larryi and Frogman, your posts above prompted me to dust of some Langaard CDs that haven't gotten much playing time. I have to say I do like his string quartets, at least the ones I've heard.
"so skilled at his craft he has to be in the Canon, but really doesn't have much to say."

Right on Target! Sort of like a lot of modern day 'Jazz' players / composers.

And to think, some folks say he is "right up there with Mozart"!!!! Makes a body wonder.

Cheers
Speaking of jazz, Rok and Frogman, why have there suddenly been no new posts on that thread?

As for the English critic's comment, that to me doesn't even deserve a response, really. The very idea that Stravinsky "really doesn't have much to say" is of course sheer nonsense, both intellectually and musically. I would say it belongs in Nicholas Slonimsky's famous book of musical invective, except it's not really invective, just sheer ignorance. It certainly should have revoked his credentials to be a serious music critic, that's for sure.
Just because a particular composer doesn't "speak to me" does not mean he "doesn't have much to say." It would be unfair for me to presume that I understand all that a composer is trying to express and what I got out of that particular composer amounts to "not much."
Thanks for chiming in on that bit of critical "flat earth thinking" regarding Stravinsky Learsfool. To suggest Stravinsky lacks a place among the highest echelon of composers leaves me flabbergasted. Send me to the proverbial desert island, give me daily does of Bach and Stravinsky, and I would suffer little.