LEAST Favorite Composer/Work?

[dlu]

What's yours and why? I don't really have any composer's or works I absolutely HATE...but I don't particularly like Schubert or Brahms...
DLu
P.S. I am an modern/avant-garde junky so don't take offense at my dislike of Schubert or Brahms...I would prefer Lutoslawski, Schoenberg, Dutilleux, or Boulez anyday....

[thracozaag]

What's yours and why? I don't really have any composer's or works I absolutely HATE...but I don't particularly like Schubert or Brahms...
DLu
P.S. I am an modern/avant-garde junky so don't take offense at my dislike of Schubert or Brahms...I would prefer Lutoslawski, Schoenberg, Dutilleux, or Boulez anyday....

  Boulez over Brahms..wow.

koji (STSD)

[bachmaninov]

Contemporary : I hate Copland

I don't like Debussy AT ALL... Therefore i don't like Ravel either... I don't know what it is about em' french impressionists! 

[DarkWind]

Therefore i don't like Ravel either... I don't know what it is about em' french impressionists! 

 

I think you said that just to anger me . Anyways, I like everything, and modern stuff is really cool. However, Xenakis' Herma just plain sucks.

[Brian Healey]

However, Xenakis' Herma just plain sucks.

Yeah, the idea of Xenakis is much better than the actual "music" of Xenakis. Like that other thing he did where all he did was record the sound of coals burning and amplify it. For the first ten seconds it was kinda neat, but then I was over it, and there's not any reason I would ever want to listen to it again.

I never liked Haydn much. I don't find him very interesting, but other than that, I pretty much like everything.

[kempff]

2 or 3 months ago I didn't like the music of Prokofiev and others like him. But now I'm getting soo much into Prokofiev

I don't enjoy Schoenberg, Webern, Berg and all these modern stuff. I just can't understand them.

[DarkWind]

2 or 3 months ago I didn't like the music of Prokofiev and others like him. But now I'm getting soo much into Prokofiev

I don't enjoy Schoenberg, Webern, Berg and all these modern stuff. I just can't understand them.

How many recordings have you listened to of their music? If none, then you really shouldn't judge their music. Anyways, find a recording of Wozzeck. I'm not a big fan of Opera, but Wozzeck is just awesome.

[Spatula]

Handel, that plagaristic b@st@rd!

[dlu]

What's yours and why? I don't really have any composer's or works I absolutely HATE...but I don't particularly like Schubert or Brahms...
DLu
P.S. I am an modern/avant-garde junky so don't take offense at my dislike of Schubert or Brahms...I would prefer Lutoslawski, Schoenberg, Dutilleux, or Boulez anyday....

What I meant to say is I don't like the solo piano music of Schubert or Brahms. I LOVE the double concerto (of brahms's) and should probably listen to the piano concertos of Brahms (isn't that sad...that I haven't listened to them I mean). About not being able to ,"understand" modern music well....what you see is what you get...

[rohansahai]

2 or 3 months ago I didn't like the music of Prokofiev and others like him. But now I'm getting soo much into Prokofiev

I don't enjoy Schoenberg, Webern, Berg and all these modern stuff. I just can't understand them.

Golden words!! That's the right way to take it! If u don't like something, u probably don't understand it!

[toro193]

I don't have a least favorite composer but i really hate bartoks sonata, i love brahms solo piano work especially the hungarian dances.

[Spatula]

Whom ever composed the black knuckle song.

They'd got to be dug up from the drave and shot,drugged, stoned, beaten, kicked, acidified, burned, raped, shot again, killed again, and put to rest.

But that's just me.

[Floristan]

Tchaikovsky.     Grossly emotional, hopelessly unsubtle, poorly composed bombast.  Some pretty melodies, I'll give him that.  But once he gets into development sections, he becomes confused and lost, wandering aimlessly in a maze of his own devising, only to suddenly emerge, without reason or preparation, back at the main theme, and I always think, "Well thank God that's over!"

Least favorite work.  Besides the "1812 Overture"?  His much ballyhooed symphonies, especially those that get played all the time, like the 4th, 5th, and 6th.  Yuck!  To me it's like ABBA meets Metallica, with a dash of Phillip Glass (though Glass's repetitions are intentional at least).

Favorite work, and this is stretching it a bit, "The Queen of Spades."  Tchaikovsky is more palatable when he has a good excuse for his melodrama.

Just my very personal opinion, this.

[Brian Healey]

To me it's like ABBA meets Metallica, with a dash of Phillip Glass

You obviously didn't mean it as a compliment, but to me that sounds pretty awesome! Diff'rent strokes I guess......

[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

I'm not that crazy about Chopin...

Somebody shoot me now!

[jcromp78]

yah whoever composed the black knuckle thing is a true knucklehead indeed.

[hodi]

well i just HATE liszt's ballade no. 2
the most boring musical piece ever, such an annoying piece!

[fnork]

Tchaikovsky.     Grossly emotional, hopelessly unsubtle, poorly composed bombast.  Some pretty melodies, I'll give him that.  But once he gets into development sections, he becomes confused and lost, wandering aimlessly in a maze of his own devising, only to suddenly emerge, without reason or preparation, back at the main theme, and I always think, "Well thank God that's over!"

Least favorite work.  Besides the "1812 Overture"?  His much ballyhooed symphonies, especially those that get played all the time, like the 4th, 5th, and 6th.  Yuck!  To me it's like ABBA meets Metallica, with a dash of Phillip Glass (though Glass's repetitions are intentional at least).

Favorite work, and this is stretching it a bit, "The Queen of Spades."  Tchaikovsky is more palatable when he has a good excuse for his melodrama.

Just my very personal opinion, this.

Well, in some ways you might be right. But I don't think this is true with all of his music, far from it. The violin concerto is AWESOME, for instance, especially the first movement. A friend of mine is going to play it with orchestra this spring...

But I remember that his first piano concerto bored me... except for the nice melodies, as you said. But he was great in orchestration and wrote some really nice solo piano stuff too.


I never liked liszt very much, but I should listen to his music more before saying that I don't like him as a composer. I don't find Alkan interresting either, except for a few really nice stuff.

[kissinfan]

mine is Mahler, i get bored with his looong symphonies, iīm not saying he hasnīt and interesting concept of the choir and a colorful symphonic languaje, but with his mash orchestral mass i get sleepy

 

btw, Xenakis is awesome itīs not enough to listen his music superficially, it demands such an intelectual effort and a little bit knowledge of architecture

[Rob47]

Sorabji. OC. Who was he trying to impress? Look how it affected Ogdon. And don't start with the I don't understand it s**t. I do understand it. And it's flat out ridiculous. Why can't anyone perform it? because sorabji is an insecure composer who decided to put bravura before musical worth.

your friend
Rob

[Brian Healey]

I don't think Sorabji was trying to impress anyone. The guy was a recluse, and from what I understand, a little mental. He even "banned" public performances of his works for decades (there were some "unauthorized" performances of his work during that time). If he was trying to impress people, I don't think he would have gone to such lengths to prevent his works from reaching the public's ears. I'm not particularly a fan of Sorabji, but he strikes me as someone who for composed for himself, and no one else. He could care less what any audiences or critics had to say or whether his works would ever be performed, and just wrote his ridiculous music. I gotta respect that.

[Brian Healey]

Also, there are plenty of composers who might write some incredibly daunting piece like Opus Clavicembalisticum and then never perform because it's too hard. Sorabji did just that, and then had the balls to go out and actually perform the piece himself (he gave one performance in 1930 that was both the premiere and final "official" performance of the work). I have a lot of respect for that too. It obviously wasn't too hard for Sorabji.

[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

Also, there are plenty of composers who might write some incredibly daunting piece like Opus Clavicembalisticum and then never perform because it's too hard. Sorabji did just that, and then had the balls to go out and actually perform the piece himself (he gave one performance in 1930 that was both the premiere and final "official" performance of the work). I have a lot of respect for that too. It obviously wasn't too hard for Sorabji.

Then again, he could be inprovising and/or playing every not wrong. Who would be able to tell? 

[Brian Healey]

Then again, he could be inprovising and/or playing every not wrong. Who would be able to tell?

Very true. I think giving a flawless performance of it would be nearly impossible, but on the bright side, no one could tell if you screwed up. However, after reading Jonathan Powell's post in the O.C. thread, it would seem that the piece actually isn't ridiculously hard, at least for a pianist of Powell's caliber, since he learned it in four months. And Sorabji himself was a top-drawer pianist. I think the O.C is more a lesson in prolonged focus, much like Satie's "Vexations".

[legend]

mine is Mahler, i get bored with his looong symphonies, iīm not saying he hasnīt and interesting concept of the choir and a colorful symphonic languaje, but with his mash orchestral mass i get sleepy

 

btw, Xenakis is awesome itīs not enough to listen his music superficially, it demands such an intelectual effort and a little bit knowledge of architecture

hahahaha, u comedic genius 

[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

mine is Mahler, i get bored with his looong symphonies, iīm not saying he hasnīt and interesting concept of the choir and a colorful symphonic languaje, but with his mash orchestral mass i get sleepy

 

btw, Xenakis is awesome itīs not enough to listen his music superficially, it demands such an intelectual effort and a little bit knowledge of architecture

hahahaha, u comedic genius 

Comedic genius? Was it meant to be funny?

Ludwig Van Rachabji

[Brian Healey]

He was referring to the fact that Xenakis was literally an architect. He studied engineering in school and was working as an architect in France when he started composing "musical" works. I put "musical" in quotes because some people (myself included) don't really find much of his work to be music at all, but that's just opinion.

His first piece, which I think was called "Metastasis", was based on the architectual design for some major building project at the time. Actually, pretty much all of his work has been based on the principles of engineering.

So, yes, I think it was meant to be a little bit funny.

[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

He was referring to the fact that Xenakis was literally an architect. He studied engineering in school and was working as an architect in France when he started composing "musical" works. I put "musical" in quotes because some people (myself included) don't really find much of his work to be music at all, but that's just opinion.

His first piece, which I think was called "Metastasis", was based on the architectual design for some major building project at the time. Actually, pretty much all of his work has been based on the principles of engineering.

So, yes, I think it was meant to be a little bit funny.

Ahah, thank you for clarifying that for me. 

[kissinfan]

He was referring to the fact that Xenakis was literally an architect. He studied engineering in school and was working as an architect in France when he started composing "musical" works. I put "musical" in quotes because some people (myself included) don't really find much of his work to be music at all, but that's just opinion.

His first piece, which I think was called "Metastasis", was based on the architectual design for some major building project at the time. Actually, pretty much all of his work has been based on the principles of engineering.

So, yes, I think it was meant to be a little bit funny.

yep, youīre right, the building is the Phillips matrix, also his works r based on phisycs and that complicate stuff, i think this is a real geniousses music, although his music is based on science.. didnīt Bach did the same?
i understand the ppl who dont like him, ppl that lived at that time (Bachs time) thought exactly the same

btw Iīm she...

[Brian Healey]

btw Iīm she...

My bad.

[Brian Healey]

yep, youīre right, the building is the Phillips matrix, also his works is based on phisycs and that complicate stuff, i think this is a real geniousses music, although his music is based on science.. didnīt Bach did the same?

Wait a minute, it's been a while since I studied Bach, but I don't remember anything about his works being based on science or engineering. I remember learning that Bach  basically improvised most of his pieces and then wrote them down afterward, but I don't remember anything about science being important to his work. Could you explain that further? I'm not saying it's wrong or anything, I've just never heard that before.

[apion]

Tchaikovsky.     Grossly emotional, hopelessly unsubtle, poorly composed bombast.  Some pretty melodies, I'll give him that.  But once he gets into development sections, he becomes confused and lost, wandering aimlessly in a maze of his own devising, only to suddenly emerge, without reason or preparation, back at the main theme, and I always think, "Well thank God that's over!"

Least favorite work.  Besides the "1812 Overture"?  His much ballyhooed symphonies, especially those that get played all the time, like the 4th, 5th, and 6th.  Yuck!  To me it's like ABBA meets Metallica, with a dash of Phillip Glass (though Glass's repetitions are intentional at least).

Favorite work, and this is stretching it a bit, "The Queen of Spades."  Tchaikovsky is more palatable when he has a good excuse for his melodrama.

Just my very personal opinion, this.

I mostly agree.  Tchaikowsky's first piano concerto is like a cheap Korean hooker: it sucky sucky. 

[Dazzer]

Wait a minute, it's been a while since I studied Bach, but I don't remember anything about his works being based on science or engineering. I remember learning that Bach  basically improvised most of his pieces and then wrote them down afterward, but I don't remember anything about science being important to his work. Could you explain that further? I'm not saying it's wrong or anything, I've just never heard that before.

never was. his music was VERY VERY VErY religious. He was obcessed with god, trinity, etc.

[Waldszenen]

- Prokofiev (I love his third PC though)

- Stravinsky

- Rimsy Korsakov

- Khachaturian

- Balakirev

- Wagner

- Ravel

[fred smalls]

- Prokofiev (I love his third PC though)

- Stravinsky

- Rimsy Korsakov

- Khachaturian

- Balakirev

- Wagner

- Ravel

WOW. No.1 thats a lot of people to hate!
No.2 I don't understand how you can hate any of them at all!!! they're all soooo good!!! cept wagner  (but to each his own)
No.3 PHILLIP GLASS OMG I HAD TO GO TO ONE OF HIS CONCERTS AND I THOUGHT THE SAME PIECE WAS BEING PLAYED FOR 1 HOUR UNTIL I FOUND OUT IT WAS 5 DIFFERENT ONES!!!!!!!

[pseudopianist]

edited due to my ignorance back then

[Chrysalis]

my least favs are

Alkan and Sorabiji

I dont care for them

[wintervind]

Lizst and Rachmaninoff 
I'm sorry, but I don't care for either!

[Jacey1973]

mine is Mahler, i get bored with his looong symphonies, iīm not saying he hasnīt and interesting concept of the choir and a colorful symphonic languaje, but with his mash orchestral mass i get sleepy

 

btw, Xenakis is awesome itīs not enough to listen his music superficially, it demands such an intelectual effort and a little bit knowledge of architecture

I know what you mean! I always make myself listen to his symphonies telling myself that "everyone else seems to like them, so there must be something interesting about them!" but i  never ever get into them - mainly because i simply don't have enough time in the day to listen to a whole symphony!

I do love the opening movement of his 9th symphony - it's quite forward looking chromatically) and i went to see his 3rd performed recently, and it wasn't that bad but on seeing his 4th or 6th (can't remember which) performed last year it was quite funny cos i was sitting next to an elderly man and he had fallen asleep within the first 10 minutes and i was thinking "how rude, you could have at least tried to listen to a couple of the movements!" but by the end of the 2nd movement i was asleep too and didn't wake up properly till near the end of the final movement!

[fred smalls]

Opus Cliasbdsdhbfsd

No thanks!

Like the spelling!!!!!!

Lizst and Rachmaninoff
I'm sorry, but I don't care for either!

You, my friend, need to visit your local psychiatrist.

[Waldszenen]

WOW. No.1 thats a lot of people to hate!
No.2 I don't understand how you can hate any of them at all!!! they're all soooo good!!! cept wagner  (but to each his own)
No.3 PHILLIP GLASS OMG I HAD TO GO TO ONE OF HIS CONCERTS AND I THOUGHT THE SAME PIECE WAS BEING PLAYED FOR 1 HOUR UNTIL I FOUND OUT IT WAS 5 DIFFERENT ONES!!!!!!!

LOL, allow me to add Mahler to the list - he can get extremely boring IMO.

[DarkWind]

I know what you mean! I always make myself listen to his symphonies telling myself that "everyone else seems to like them, so there must be something interesting about them!" but i  never ever get into them - mainly because i simply don't have enough time in the day to listen to a whole symphony!

I do love the opening movement of his 9th symphony - it's quite forward looking chromatically) and i went to see his 3rd performed recently, and it wasn't that bad but on seeing his 4th or 6th (can't remember which) performed last year it was quite funny cos i was sitting next to an elderly man and he had fallen asleep within the first 10 minutes and i was thinking "how rude, you could have at least tried to listen to a couple of the movements!" but by the end of the 2nd movement i was asleep too and didn't wake up properly till near the end of the final movement!

You must have definitely have seen the 4th. I personally think it's impossible to fall asleep for the 6th symphony. It's loud and powerful and interesting and fun. Besides, you have only listened to probably his worst symphonies. Me and my parents went to see the 7th Symphony, my parents did not know the composer, conductor, or the piece, but they loved it. They say for the whole 1 hour+. The conductor got around 5 curtain calls.

Anyways, I don't know how you people can say you hate Mahler so much. He has just simply some of the most interesting harmonies and melodies ever. The structures of his symphonies go probably unparalleled to any other composer. You can always tell what symphony you are listening to, just look for the thing that makes it stand out. The 2nd's relentless tremolo, the 6th's pounding A notes, the 7th's rythms. It's just all so unique, the melodies are very memorable, and his works are just a joy to listen to!

Also, how many of you have listened to more than one piece of the composers you hate? Sorabji? How many pieces have you heard by Sorabji? Ravel? How many pieces have you heard by him? Personally, there are no composers that I hate, because I can always see the merits of the composer, and why someone would probably like him. I'm very open and love everything from Palestrina to Stockhausen. Anything, I probably like! Although there are probably individual works I am not very fond of...

[andrewkim]

all baroque composers
all classical
most romantic (early romantic)

[Lance Morrison]

all baroque composers
all classical
most romantic (early romantic)

so, have you a preference for the modernists then? because that would be cool

[andrewkim]

yea I used to really love baroque music when I was in like 1st to 5th grade and then since 7th grade (I'm in 9th now) I just started to like a lot of 20th century. I mean a LOT.

[thierry13]

I HATE HATE HATE HATE the pictures at an exhibition. It's the only piece I know of this composer, but I HATEEEE IT!!!

I'm ready, everyone kill me now, I've said what I wanted 

[aajjmb]

I HATE PHILIP GLASS

[tds]

i wish i could understand bartok better. someone cares to enlighten me? tds

[Waldszenen]

I can't stand Bartok...

[C-A]

Any that is too light in texture and some contemporary works(especially Bartok(The Mikrokosmos is painful to hear), Glass, Kabalevsky, and the noise-and-no-melody-like works of Prokofiev)