Vote

zappa

Alfred Schnittke. A great composer MUST have a sense of humor. Just listen to the DG recording of Gidon Kremer performing the Concerto Grosso No.1 (my wife feels that it should be called the concerto grossout).

John Zorn.

Igor Stravinski

I really don't see how anyone in the 20th century matches Duke Ellington in terms of quality, variety, and quantity. Frank Zappa is my second-favorite of the century. J.S. Bach is my all-time favorite. Visit my "A Duke Ellington Panorama" at http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Square/2660/ell/

Pat Metheny

Sergei Prokofiev, a master of "almost-wrong-note" melody whose works never fail to stir my soul. One wonders if we'd have seen a "Romeo and Juliet," "Cinderella," or a Symphony 5 had he stayed and written movie music in the US when offered the opportunity.

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I would vote for Gershwin for successfully straddling the pop and classical worlds. I am also a big fan of Stephen Sondheim. His lyrics are great, but his music is underrated.

Lennon-McCartney

The picture was inspiring! Here's a nod for "Filthy Frank" or better yet, "Fertile Frank!" His wide ranging styles and various compositions only make my mouth water for what might have been...

Lennon/McCartney

Best composer of the 20th century for me personally is Peter Frampton. You will all laugh, but I love just about all this guy's songs and lyrics, and I consider his guitar playing composing, as it seems every solo and lick he plays is intense, melodic, and comes straight from the heart. Listen to the chords, singing, and guitar solos on "Lines On My Face" from "Frampton Comes Alive!" to see what I mean. What an emotional musician and great improvisor.

Duke Ellington, because he embodies all of American nusic in the 20th century.

Aaron Copland—modern, yet with a musicality that sticks with you. You can actually hum the melodies.

It's got to be Mick and Keith. Forget classical, it died in the first part of the 20th century, while jazz was slowly smothered the last 50 years. But the Glimmer twins showed enormous staying power, as well as an ability to master different musical forms. Take EXILE ON MAINSTREET. Is there a style on the disc that Jagger and Richards fail to nail? These guys simply flat out slay the competition. And all their music ages like a bloody fine wine. Long may they run.

Duke Ellington

The title of "greatest" composer for the 20th century ought to go to someone directly involved in the major artistic creations of century—jazz and rock. Unfortunately, the title must instead go to Dmitri Shostakovich, who simply sat in country cottages and wrote the greatest symphonic works of all time.

John Williams

arvo part

Roger Waters and Neil Young!!!

I can listen to anything that Billy Joel or Carol King have written, no matter who is singing it, and they have written for a while.

John Cage

Rabih Abou-Khalil

John Cage: His piece 4'33" can be reproduced with the utmost fidelity even on very modest sound systems.

Astor Piazzolla. Even his name is musical!

Rachmaninoff

If you're counting those who were alive in the 20th century anywhere in the world, my vote goes to French composer Maurice Ravel. I especially enjoy the interpretations of Ravel's works by Charles Dutois with the Montreal Symphony.

Miles Davis

Charles Mingus