Who is your favourite composer? Why do you like him/her?
By uvbnskoold
@uvbnskoold (499)
Canada
December 20, 2006 7:36pm CST
Personally I'm into film music moreso than classical music, but I am also a composer who is into film music myself.
I absolutely love John Williams (he composed they music for many blockbuster films: Jaws, all the Star Wars movies, Superman, Indiana Jones and more). His style is very eclectic. It's very Saturday-Evening Popcorn-watching fun music, and quite sophisticated.
I have been taken with him all my life. Some of my favourite scores are from Jurassic Park, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Hook, just to name a few.
I love his music because it's always got so much character to it. It always tells a story, musically. You can almost hear it without visual aid and know exactly what's going on or what should be happening on screen or in a story. My music is very similar to his, as I've been told (though obviously not quite as top-notch) and it should be. I learned a lot just by listening to his music - and composers always emulate the style of their "teachers." And I consider him an indirect teacher.
If you have a favourite composer, film or non-film, classical or not, who is he/she and why do you like them?
3 people like this
25 responses
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
21 Dec 06
I really enjoy a lot of classical composers. I'm a big fan of Beethoven, Mozart, and Handel. But, I also like the composers for the romantic period such as Dvorak, Rimsky-Korsakov, Bizet, and Rachmaninoff. I also like more modern composers such as De Falla, Copeland, and Stravinsky, and Mahler.
And, many others I can't think of right now.
1 person likes this
@desertdarlene (8910)
• United States
22 Dec 06
I know what you mean. I actually like some of his later piano works the best. I'm not the biggest fan of his 9th symphony, especially the choral part. But, many people consider that his ultimate achievement. But, it's my personal preference.
@uvbnskoold (499)
• Canada
21 Dec 06
I like a lot of pieces by these composers as well. The New World Symphony is one piece by Dvorak that stands out for me, as does Finlandia. From Bizet, of course, Carmen. Rimsky-Korsakov, being a trombone player, love his Concerto for Trombone and Band plus who can forget Flight of the Bumblebee.
Copeland's Rodeo is one of my favourite pieces.
I didn't say Beethoven's Fifth because everyone says that (oops! I just said it :)
@getnbuy (1312)
• United States
21 Dec 06
I, too, like John Williams. I especially like the Harry Potter score. Also, he composed some music for the Winter Olympics here in Utah. It was awesome to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform it. As for the "ancients" I still like Mozart. His music is especially fun to play.
@uvbnskoold (499)
• Canada
22 Dec 06
LoL I like how you call a classical composer from only 2 centuries ago, ancient! :)
The score for Harry Potter is great, it's a retreat to his earlier style, like Star Wars. I recommend the Finale from Prisoner of Azkaban. It's a great track.
@anne_143god (5387)
• Philippines
21 Dec 06
I like Don Moen for I really enjoy his music. I'am really blessed when I'm listening to his music and so with the other praise and worship, joyful song writers.
1 person likes this
@uvbnskoold (499)
• Canada
21 Dec 06
Though I'm not an organized religion man, I do like a handful of religious material. No matter the topic they're singing about, it is often uplifting material.
@sandeepramje (80)
• India
21 Dec 06
I am a great fan of A.R. Rehman, I dont think you guys know about him. In bollywood he is a greatest music Composer/Director. Many songs he composed and every time he came up with new music which havent be heared anywhere.
He is just amazing, with him his drumist Shiromani is awesome.
@uvbnskoold (499)
• Canada
21 Dec 06
Wow, there's a lot of you that like this guy! I'm going to have to check him out, even though I'm not a big fan of Indian music.
@Dennik (537)
• Philippines
21 Dec 06
I like Dan Fogelberg, simply because I like his songs.
Do you celebrate Christmas? If yes, I will take this opportunity to greet you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (though is not yet Dec. 25, I may not have a chance to greet you anymore so I will do it now).
http://dchallenger.blogdrive.com
@uvbnskoold (499)
• Canada
21 Dec 06
I do indeed celebrate Christmas, but I celebrate it more as a secular holiday then as a Christian one.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you as well!
@lauriefnp (5109)
• United States
21 Dec 06
I'm not into classical music, either.
My favorite composer is Andrew Lloyd Weber, without a doubt. I have the soundtracks to most of the musicals that he wrote, as well as a few CD's of compilations of his music alone, without words. "The Music of the Night" stands out as a favorite, and one that most people would recognize (from the Phantom of the Opera).
@uvbnskoold (499)
• Canada
21 Dec 06
Yah, the music from Phantom is great. I have to admit, studying music and being a composer it's still one musical I have never seen. I know all the music, but have never gone to see it at the theatre or on the big screen.
One of these days I'll have to sit down and watch the newest movie version, the one with Gerard Butler as the Phantom.
@inderjeetnogi (514)
• India
26 Dec 06
i am an indian
i like javed akhtar as a composer
he contributes to almost 50% of lyrics in industry
1 person likes this
@bevanamit (645)
• India
22 Dec 06
a r rehman is my fav his songs n music is so great that i cannot resist listenin to his songs
@iampaperbag (262)
• Philippines
21 Dec 06
Yeah, John Williams is one of my favorite movie score composers. The Jurassic Park main theme is timeless for me. Another musical composer I admire is Danny Elfman. His most notable works include the themes for Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman and Spider-man.
1 person likes this
@uvbnskoold (499)
• Canada
21 Dec 06
Totally! Danny Elfman is another of my favourite composers. I especially like "What's This?" from "The Nightmare Before Christmas." And who can forget the everlasting theme from "The Simpsons."
Classic.
@funfreak2k2 (1734)
• India
21 Dec 06
i love music of Ilayaraja, the southindian musician. if u want to hear, i will trace them on net and will give it to the appropriate recipient.
@ladysurvivor (4746)
• Malaysia
21 Dec 06
Maybe you do not know this composer. He is a local composer in my country but he is very famous indeed in our community. His name is M. Nasir and he has won many awards. People here call him the "Sifu" (the teacher).
1 person likes this
