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Many "Greatest Composers of the 20th Century" lists would include Copland, Gershwin, et al, but could also include Roy Orbison, Lennon-McCartney, and Scott Joplin. Who is <I>your</I> favorite?
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/
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.
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.
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.
The title of "greatest" composer for the 20th century ought to go to someone directly involved in the major artistic creations of centuryjazz 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.
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.