Who was the greatest of the B's?

[the89thkey]

There are, of course, others that I had to leave out such as Berlioz, Bernstein, Britten, Barber, Bruckner, etc.

[andreslr6]

I'm surprised that you left out Brachmaninoff

[emrysmerlin]

I was convinced by other forum members that Busoni is nowhere on the list, though I voted for Beethoven instead of Bach as Bach's music is built on a perfected style, while Beethoven (along with Schubert and Schumann) basically invented Romanticism.

[the89thkey]

I'm surprised that you left out Rachmaninoff

This thread was about composers beginning with B.

[haydnseeker]

Why was Byrd not listed?  His keyboard music was the greatest of its era, just as much as Bach's and Beethoven's were.

[stoudemirestat]

Berlioz is my favourite, followed closely by Beethoven.

[p2u_]

Who was the greatest of the B's?

Voting doesn't work here, but for me it's definitely Beethoven.

Paul

[zezhyrule]

BARTOK

ask me tomorrow and I will probably say beethoven or bach but for now it's bartok all the way

[cadenza14224]

Obviously Beethoven.

Though I do prefer Brahms, and sure Bach was great, nothing can top LVB's impact on classical music and music overall.

[the89thkey]

Obviously Beethoven.

Though I do prefer Brahms, and sure Bach was great, nothing can top LVB's impact on classical music and music overall.

Yes, I agree. Beethoven was one of the greatest composers in history.

[celegorma]

1. Beethoven
2. Bach
3. Brahms
4. Bruckner
5. Bartok
6. Berlioz
7. Berg
8. Britten
9. Borodin
10. Bizet

[brogers70]

1. Bach
2. Beethoven
3. Byrd
4. Brahms

[the89thkey]

1. Beethoven
2. Bach
3. Brahms
4. Bruckner
5. Bartok
6. Berlioz
7. Berg
8. Britten
9. Borodin
10. Bizet

This looks something like my list. Except I would put Berlioz higher and Bruckner lower. And Borodin shouldn't even be in the mix.

[j_menz]

And Borodin shouldn't even be in the mix.

Borodin doesn't start with B?  

[chopin2015]

What about who was the greatest A

Haha

[outin]

What about who was the greatest A

Haha

Alberti, because he invented the B 

[patrickd]

My vote for the greatest A is Alkan, and Brahms for B.

[chopin2015]

Greatest b is Beethoven

Greatest A is Ravel. Hehe

[ahinton]

No one has yet even mentioned Boulez. Or Barraqué. Or Bridge. Or Bloch. Or Bernstein. Or Barrett. Or a certain English composer whose work's getting even more exposure than usual on account of this year being his centenary.

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

No one has yet even mentioned Boulez.

I wonder why.

Thal

[chopin2015]

Compare rep extensiveness

[ahinton]

I wonder why.

I thought that you might.

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

Or a certain English composer whose work's getting even more exposure than usual on account of this year being his centenary.

Indeed, but Lloyd would be under the greatest L's.

Thal

[thalbergmad]

Or Bloch.

Assuming you refer to Ernest, we would appear (unusually) to agree.

His Concerto Symphonique was so good it actually scared me.

Thal

[ahinton]

Assuming you refer to Ernest, we would appear (unusually) to agree.

His Concerto Symphonique was so good it actually scared me.

It's a very fine work indeed and I don't understand why it's so rarely performed; his Violin Concerto demands far more outings than it gets as well. And yes, of course, I'm referring to Ernest!

Best,

Alistair

[iansinclair]

And don't overlook Ernest Bloch's magnificent Sacred Service!

[thalbergmad]

It's a very fine work indeed and I don't understand why it's so rarely performed;

Perhaps pianists don't like to work their socks off only to be almost overwhelmed by the orchestra.

Thal

[ahinton]

Perhaps pianists don't like to work their socks off only to be almost overwhelmed by the orchestra.

That's pretty much what some people used to say about the great concerto by that other B - Busoni (in fact I recall Cherkassky saying that he didn't care to play such a demanding concerto in which most of the time he'd have to accompany the orchestra), but it's not necessarily true in either case; neither concerto is over-scored, so it simply needs a sensible and sensitive conductor to ensure good balance.

Best,

Alistair

[kujiraya]

Smart L337 response = Berio
Truth = Bartok