[Morimur]

Listing dead guys is punishable by lashing followed by upside down crucifixion.

Now then...

(01) György Kurtág
(02) Georg Friedrich Haas
(03) Beat Furrer
(04) Brian Ferneyhough
(05) Richard Barrett

 

[Morimur]

1.Boulez
2.Kurtag
3.Lachenmann
4.Globokar
5.Ferneyhough

Had completely forgotten about old man Boulez. Wish he'd compose more.

 

[Morimur]

Norgard has written a lot of stuff, but I just can't get into it. Sounds like music for a lifeless planet.

Gubaidulina is no. 1, and the others have died in the past 20 years.

Nørgård's music is well regarded, but I think your comment is spot on.

Gubaidulina is probably the greatest living Russian composer.

 

[Morimur]

While I listen to several living composers, I don't know their music well enough to say which are tops, or even which I enjoy the most.

A few that spring to mind:

Pierre Boulez,
Esa-Pekka Salonen (yeah, I know. You may think this is only by a technicality.)
Arvo Pärt

ummm . . .

Morton Subotnick?

and maybe --

aha!

Poul Ruders!

I think you need hear some György Kurtág's work.

 

[Morimur]

Boulez
Arvo Part
Harrison Birtwistle
Penderecki
and that´s it

Pärt is like the Sting of classical music-I want to avoid him but he's everywhere.

 

[Morimur]

Ya, he died back in November 2010.

 

[Morimur]

John Adams
Saariaho
Gubaidulina
Pärt

I'm having trouble coming up with a fifth composer. Admittedly, I don't listen to living composers very often. I do like some of the music of Reich, Glass, Penderecki, Brett Dean. I can't make up my mind because I don't have enough information. I'd be an uninformed voter if I made my final choice.

Kurtág-you won't be disappointed.

 

[Morimur]

My top five (and these composers are enjoying success, rightfully):

- Alma Deustcher (born 2005, therefore 21st century composer)
- Alex Prior (born 1992)
- Christopher Bond (born 1992)
- Jay Greenberg (born 1991)
- Krzysztof Penderecki (born 1933)

Deustcher? Oy vey!

If you're trolling you got me but if not . . . Oy vey!

 

[Morimur]

Alma Deustcher????????????????????
I am going to love it if five years from now she decides to become the next Miley Cyrus.

Come now, arpeggio-no need to wish ill on the poor girl.

 

[Morimur]

Statistical ways, based on the recently ending Top Recommended Post-1950 Works.
Primarily based on the number of pieces on the list from a composer, secondly if required by the sum of the ranking numbers.

Best living composer:
1. Boulez 6 pieces on the list,
2. Adams 5 pieces on the list, 346 (sum of the ranking numbers)
3. Penderecki 5 pieces on the list, 531 (sum of the ranking numbers)
4. Gubaidulina 4 pieces on the list, 386 (sum of the ranking numbers)
5. Crumb 4 pieces on the list, 400 (sum of the ranking numbers)

Best living composer under 65 years:
1. Haas 3 pieces on the list, 211 (sum of the ranking numbers)
2. Saariaho 3 pieces on the list, 245 (sum of the ranking numbers)
3. Chin 2 pieces on the list,
4. Adès 1 piece on the list, 44 (ranking number)
5. Rihm 1 piece on the list, 45 (ranking number)

No Kurtág? Dat be CRAY CRAY!

 

[Morimur]

I told myself that I would stay away from this thread but enough has been said that I will add my feelings...

Welcome to the dark side.​

 

[Morimur]

Where do you recommend starting with Kurtag?

I watched this charming video of him playing piano pieces with his wife last night:

Or should I start with the survey of String Quartets?

 

[Morimur]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Lachenmann.

Lachenmann is great, though at times I think of him as Hans-Joachim Hespos "lite".

 

[Morimur]

I've heard that Cazzaza Dan now goes by Caitlin Jenner.