Who Will Stand the Test of Time?

Rlawinwright...i hear you, but i have often thought about the music that has lasted since 1600s...much of it was composed for the Church, or for major patrons of the arts, or operas/choral productions. in other words, mediums with multiple applications which keep it in the public eye (and ear). Movie soundtracks are sort of that equivalent, and i sometimes think that is part of what keeps a piece of music going thru the ages. Choral, Requiems, operas...probably means Rodgers and Hammerstein is gonna keep going for a while?

I thought about the Beatles of course...its just that 400 years is a long time (ie time from Bach to today)...

Shostakovich, Ligeti, Penderecki, Part, Adams, maybe even Elliot Carter and Jennifer Higdon will stand the test of time.

People want to perpetuate this myth that Beethoven and Mozart were the "Beatles of their time." In actual fact, much of Beethoven and Mozart's best music was rejected in the court of public opinion. On the other hand, people loved Wellington's victory, which is a trite piece of garbage. Try whistling the opening measures of K465.

Most popular music describes a window in time. Once that time is past, the music becomes a relic that is at best a curiosity. I don't recall the last time I heard Way down upon the Swanee River on the radio. My guess is that Heinrich Schutz gets more playing time than Steven Foster. There is a reason for that. The music of Heinrich Schutz describes aspects of the human condition that do not change with time.

Brownsfan is right on point. Not much I can add (or subtract) except:

Bernstein
Stravinsky
Ades
Gershwin
Bartok
Rogers and Hart
Prokofiev
Copland
Stevie Wonder
Richard Strauss
The Beatles
Johnny Mandel
Barber
Ervin Berlin
Duke Ellington
Jerome Kern
Ravel
Cole Porter
Wayne Shorter
Work out is over, sorry.......

I am good with much of that music, Frogman! Thanks. dont know Ades and Mandel but otherwise have music from all of the above.

this question is so subjective:

I think there is evidence that certain groups have lasted and are still "popular".

in the classical repertory, there are composers whose music is frequently played at concerts.

The classic groups of the 60's and 70's have survived.

we won't be around in 2300, so it does not matter.