I am often asked about favourite composers (or favourite music). It’s a question I hate, not just because as soon as I am asked it my mind goes entirely blank and I forget the name Mozart, but also because there are so many and whenever I mention one name I despair later that I’ve forgotten to mention another.
When I do manage to muster some of the names below, they are often met with blank stares.
So I decided to gather names into one list, and make a couple of sample playlist for anyone who wants to listen
(Scroll down to the bottom of the page for 2 different youtube and spotify lists of music from these composers).
This is amongst the most important music for me. I will add to it as and when I suddenly discover that I’ve forgotten something crucial or suddenly discover something essential. It makes no claim to be the best music, just the music that resonates with me and has moved me particularly.
It’s varied, so if you hate the first thing you hear, just skip until something sounds nice. At present, in the named composers, about 25% of the composers are female, which isn’t really good enough, so I’m hoping that’ll improve with time.
Let me know who you’d want to add, or anyone I’ve accidentally passed over!
Perotin
Vivier
Butterley
Nørgård
Finsterer
Ligeti
Takemitsu
Sutherland
Hildegard von Bingen
Messiaen
Abrahamsen
Saariaho
Copland
Scriabin
Stravinsky
Boulanger (Lili)
Debussy
Ravel
Luther Adams
Hosokawa
Delage
Dutilleux
Gubaidulina
Grainger
Victoria
Grisey
Strozzi
Gaelic Psalmody from Lewis
Youtube Playlist
Spotify Playlist
musicyoudontknow 