Greatest Composers of All Time

1. Bach
2. Beethoven
3. Mozart
4. Mahler
5. Tag team all the others. Don't forget Stravinsky!

Based on title alone, not limited to pure classical, Gershwin and Ellington make it into the conversation at least in the USA.

Of course these are representative only of WESTERN culture. Eastern cultures would probably have a totally different view.

Anyone well rounded enough out there to list the top 10 including both eastern and western culture together, if such a comparison is even possible?

Learsfool, Thank you - I learned something today. I haven't listened to any symphonies by Mozart or Haydn in many years.

Brownsfan, Thanks for your response. Until Lewis I had been relying on Goode, Brendel and Perahia for most, but not all, of my Schubert. I've never heard Richter's recordings of Schubert - I checked and found the Argo disc's on Arkiv and have ordered three of them. Do you have any specific recommendations for the Impromptus' and Wander Fantasy by Richter?

"Beethoven's Romanticism is often greatly exaggerated - formally speaking, he is a Classical composer through and through."

Agree Learsfool but stylistically his symphonies transcended the classical era and are strongly influenced by what was going on around him socially and politically, the 5th is the quinessential example of his romantic inclinations. There is none of this with the symphonies or music, for that matter, of Hayden and Mozart. So in that respect he is the composer that is primarily responsible for introducing the Romantic era, unless there is another composer that I am unaware of that you may be. I am aware of your formidable knowledge of music and look forward to your response.

Newbee,
Take a look at this. http://www.talkclassical.com/ 21995-who-your-
favorite-schubertian.html. Apparently I am not alone in thinking Richter
has a way with Schubert. To your question, I do not own a Richter
recording of the Wanderer and only have a couple of the impromptus by
Richter. There are a couple of recordings on the Alto label for sale on
amazon. Archivmusic appears not to carry this label anymore.