The Classical Music Guide Forums

Has there been even ONE vote for England's greatest musician of all time---Henry Purcell? His originality, melodic and harmonic genius, the dramatic (for his time!) scenes, choruses, dances and arias of his operas and odes are poetic, sublime and technically among the finest every composed for the ...

I believe that A London Symphony was dedicated to Butterworth. Along with Holst, I believe, the closest friends of VW? English/ Irish, all the same aren't they? :twisted: We certainly aren't the same - our mutual history shows that quite clearly. You know how Canadians LOVE to be called Americans? ...

As an Irishman I am just a little peeved to see Stanford offered as an English composer. Although he worked at Cambridge he was very much "Irish" - if you don't believe so, just look at the titles of some of his compositions. He was of course born in Dublin and is probably the single most important ...

I once had the honour and pleasure of interviewing Fischer-Dieskau. He claimed that Bernstein was possibly the greatest ever interpreter of Mahler's music. An opinion with which I would not much disagree.

My vote still goes to Jussi Bjorling. Among the more contemporary set, I would have to vote for Placido Domingo. Oy, I hate it when a bunch of wanna-be tenors - i.e. Bocelli - fantasize about being opera singers in front of an audience. They destroy the works and my nerves. Warmly, Ellie Ellie: I c...

I Couldn't agree more about Bocelli - It just proves the power of MARKETING! I've been listening to Coplands Old American Songs - Milnes with the Cincinnati Pops / Kunzel - Lovely singing. Also the world"s greatest baritone - Fischer-Dieskau singing Schubert - can anything be more perfect. (I suppos...

I Recently heard a great Christoff story which you might like. A member of the chorus at (I think) Covent Garden was retiring and was interviewed about his time at the house. He mentioned a number of the great singers he admired, including Christoff. "Did you ever speak to him" asked the interviewer...

Of all composers surely Schubert is the one to spring to mind.(Sorry, no pun intended!)

Try these:
Im Fruhling
Das Lied im grunen
Das Wandern (Die Schone Mullerin)
Der Musensohn
Der Jungling an der Quelle

I think thay Callas was an extraordinary artist and judged on that basis is probably No1. But in terms of vocal quality? I doubt it very much. Wild is the expression I would use. I am glad to see Janowitz on the list. But where is Lisa Della Casa for instance - is Margaret Price a better singer. Lik...