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Can anyone give me a list of the most prominent American composers. So far I have: Carter, Reich, Adams. Who else would you say is on the list?
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Michael Torke
Michael Daugherty
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I'd add Augusta Read-Thomas (sp)
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Philip Glass
You know, I see this being a very popular thread with lots of additions being added by the CT members! 
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Joan Tower
Christopher Rouse
Jennifer Higdon
Joeseph Schwantner
Aaron Kernis
John Corigliano
John Harbison
to name a few more...
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Is this currently living composers? If not, I'm surprised Aaron Copeland isn't on the list already...unless I'm missing something in the intent of the original post...?
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But if this is prominent composers are Joseph Schwantner or Aaron Kernis under this list? Perhaps I'm ignorant but I've never heard of them over here in the UK (not that means they aren't prominent!)
Who are they? Are they any good?
If we are talking dead people then Henry Cowell is a must.
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"But if this is prominent composers are Joseph Schwantner or Aaron Kernis under this list? Perhaps I'm ignorant but I've never heard of them over here in the UK (not that means they aren't prominent!)"k.
Aaron Kernis might be a stretch. But, he is widely performed, and, I like some of his music very much. Check out the 2nd symphony - yowza! the 1st movement really blew my mind - very intense and well written for large orchestra - no instrument left behind. (note: if this is a measure of importance, his music has made it onto audition lists for some orchestras in canada).
Joseph Schwantner is quite important, I would think. His lack of performances in Europe does not diminish his presence in north america (he gets a decent amount of play in canada as well). Pulitzer in 78, teaching at many of the important schools, commissions by many of the US's major orchestras. I think he could also be considered prominent by the impact of his music on the culture as a whole.
"Aftertones of Infinity" is Joseph's most famous work. He also composed "...from the mountains rising nowhere" for symphonic band that gets many performances - good recording by the Eastman Wind ensemble.
"If we are talking dead people then Henry Cowell is a must."
I though this was for the living - dead would also include:
Charles Ives
George Crumb (or, is he dead?????)
Samuel Barber
Morton Feldman
John Cage
LaMont Young + many others
and then there is - Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Bill Evans, George Gershwin, Billy Strayhorn...
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Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Babbitt, Bernstein, Stephen Foster, Copland, are some whoppers to include. There are some great moments with colaborations with Stravinsky, Hindemith and Shostakovich.
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The whole subject of who is seen as the leading figures in different countries is very interesting. Being from the UK, I'm having a piece done in the States for the first time this April and when I was out there for the workshops in Novemeber it was fascinating to get a glimpse of who musicians there thought were the big league, and who they'd never heard of.
It led indirectly to some of the recent US composers we've interviewed for the site - and it's great to get to know them - I think Derek Bermel is a particularly interesting figure (but I still don't quite have the sense whether he's really well-known in the US or just 'up-and-coming' )!
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George Crumb is alive and kicking
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"George Crumb is alive and kicking"
Good to know. Thanks.
He must be quite an old man now, eh?
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Well I'm really glad atleast one of you (Pete12b) mentioned some Jazz guys!
Also why aren't any film composers mentioned. I mean HELLO!!!! Maybe not in the academic bubble that some of live in but in the REAL world these are the guys making a living at it. (Howard Shore anyone)
Got to meantion Chick Corea...probably one of the most prolific composers of the second half of the 20th century. we're talking real music here. (not 4'33 seconds of silence).
Sorry, had to get that off my chest.
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Howard Shore is great.
More American film composers I admire are:
Thomas Newman
James Newton Howard
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"Well I'm really glad atleast one of you (Pete12b) mentioned some Jazz guys!"
I mentioned 5.
"Also why aren't any film composers mentioned. I mean HELLO!!!! Maybe not in the academic bubble that some of live in but in the REAL world these are the guys making a living at it. (Howard Shore anyone)"
He's Canadian. So is David Cronenberg, probably his most significant collaborator.
I also mentioned John Corigliano, who won best soundtrack at the Oscars a few years ago.
"Got to meantion Chick Corea...probably one of the most prolific composers of the second half of the 20th century. we're talking real music here. (not 4'33 seconds of silence)."
That is an unnecessary stab at one of the most important (and prolific) composers of the previous century.
But, yes, Corea is very fine - I would also add in that category Herbie Hancock, and Miles Davis. (have you heard the live shows with corea and hancock playing together - wow!!! they bring out the best in each other).
"Sorry, had to get that off my chest."
You could have just added some names with reasons, without all the silliness.
And, we could keep going - what about Arlo Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Patty Smith Hill (who composed the most performed song ever...can you guess?)...
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