If you like Telemann, then you're the one who's obviously been putting something in his water. Is it Valium? Without Telemann, Bach would not have existed as we know him. Bach had very, very little impact on music before Mendelssohn began popularizing him, and it wasn't until toward the last third of the Romantic Era that he was well-known. His impact on music has been quite minimal; by the time he was well-known enough, people were writing music that has no use of Bach. What is so hard to understand?
And yes, I could live without mozart.
Didn't somebody say that life is too short to waste on Mozart?
Don't really have a very obscure list, I mean, I've heard of other composers but these guys are popular for a reason.9. Cramer
This piece got me into Cramer. It has Mozart-like ideas but also has an original mold - not too innovative but dropping in Romantic aspects here and there. Really amazing stuff.
Haha you "snuck in" many composers! I was also considering putting Ravel, Copland, or Gershwin in there but decided Brahms earned a higher spot.