Unusual but excellent composers

[David]

I am interested in overlooked but excellent composers that one should pay attention to and find their music and listen. I recently discovered Ernest Walker (British early 20th century) and there are a zillion others. Who would you put in this category, and name a work by the composer?

[Eleanor]

Gerald Finzi was an English 20th century composer who isn't so well known, though now being recorded more. "Dies Natalis" is a beautiful work for tenor and orchestra.

Another favourite of mine is William Alwyn, also English, whose music would have been heard by a lot of people as he wrote music for some great British films, for example "The Fallen Idol" and "Odd Man Out". My favourite work by him is Lyra Angelica, a work for harp and orchestra that is absolutely beautiful.

[Emma]

I like Janacek sometimes. I've never heard of him until I played a piece by him in LISFA (Long Island string festival)

Although a lot of people know Salieri, not many actually listen to his music. I like it - a lot!! I also like Martìn y Soler - his music was used in the Act II finale of Don Giovanni (when Leporello says, "bravi: Cosa Rara!")

[Lisa]

Are you familiar with William Baines? His piano music is gorgeous! He was only 23 when he died and was one of those whose lives were turned upside down by World War One.

[Denise]

I recently heard a piece by Salieri, and I enjoyed it, too.

[Emma]

Which one?

[Denise]

I wish I knew. I was in the car listening to the radio when I heard it. The digital radio only showed "Salieri" but no title. I should follow it up and find some of his music.

[Richard]

I bought a download from iTunes of a set of Salieri's delightful Wind Serenades by Il Gruppo Di Roma. He was a far better composer than portrayed in "Amadeus".

[happy]

Our local symphony is doing a cycle of the symphonies of Carl Nielson - a late 19th early 20th century Danish composer, this year (I've attended two of the concerts)

Not bad at all

[Denise]

Richard wrote: "I bought a download from iTunes of a set of Salieri's delightful Wind Serenades by Il Gruppo Di Roma. He was a far better composer than portrayed in "Amadeus"."

I agree. I thought, from watching the film, that he must not have been very good. After deliberately searching out some of his music, I find that I enjoy it. I still can't find the piece that caught my attention on the radio though. I though it would stand out if I heard it. I'll have to try iTunes.

[Emma]

I have a few of his overtures. I like them a lot :)