Greatest Composers of All Time

Learsfool - my comment about few audiophiles enjoying classical music was an expression of my personal opinion that many audiophiles don't really like music at all and that music is only a vehicle through which they can play with their toys - the hifi system. In fact, your comment only serves to reinforce this, in that you state that classical music provides the toughest test for the system with its dynamic range, etc, etc. You're speaking about the music as a test of the equipment. Don't get me wrong. Anyone who buys expensive hifi and says they're only interested in music and not gear is a fuc*!ng liar. We're all interested in the equipment to varying degrees. And I also believe that if someone wants to conduct constant A/B comparisons of equipment in their home, they have every right to enjoy their property in their own manner. As long as I don't have to pay for it, i'm fine. God knows, I'm paying for half the sh!t people have now, so I appreciate anyone who pays for their own stuff. So now, we take the segment of audiphiles that actually like music and pare that down to the number that listen to classical and you probably end up with a very small segment. When I see people asking for system advice, the vast majority state their listening preferences as genres other than classical, IMO.

Chayro. well said and I agree almost totally, except I think paying for those who can't pay for themselves is a requirement of a civilized society.

Well Schubert, by the time the Feds, State and City get through with me, I'm losing 50% of what I earn, which makes me the most civilized person I know.

Charles1dad, in addition to the work of Mr. Loussier that Mcjelo mentioned, I think a composer who did a fine job blending classical and jazz would be George Gershwin, you might want to give some of his music a listen. I will say that by starting with Bach you're joining a lot of us (me included) who started to learn about classical music with the music of J.S. Bach.

I'm going to stay out of rating composers, I'll just listen to their work and be thankful for it.

Chayro,
Agree completely, taking hard earned money from one to redistribute to another who had no role in earning it is hardly a sound definition of civilization.
Regards,