Wow, although there were a few mentions of Mr. Haydn, I think that using a current term he has been “dissed.”
Mozart,Bach,Beethoven top three.
Haydn 4
Schubert Brahms 5-6 not sure which order
To honor pre-classical composers, I place the wonderful Giovanni Gabrieli 7
Tchaikovsky 8th for his last three symphonies, plus the ballet scores.
Wagner 9th for some of the most beautiful musical minutes ever composed, despite the fact you have to listen to four of five hours of filler if you want to hear them in “context”
10 is tough, either Verdi or Berlioz, but I give it to Hector for the Symphonie Fantastique, plus we need a token Frenchman.
Handel I put in a special category, as his greatest work, The Messiah, was aided in it’s composition by Heaven itself, to a much grater extent then Heaven usually inspires.
Of today’s composers,I have the highest regard for movie composers-Williams of course but I have been putting a lot of Zimmer and Horner on the Ipod lately.
Finally, as honorable mention and to honor all mediocrity, a special mention for Antonio Salieri!
Antonio Salieri - Concerto for fortepiano in B flat-major (1/3)
Bravo!
I am not well versed in classical music..(something I hope to remedy soon)
My FRiend Publius, is!
I thought he might enjoy this thread.
;0)