Thread: American Composers

I'm liking the music coming from across the Atlantic.

Particularly like Aaron Copland - 'Fanfare for the common man'.

Any other famous yet exciting compositions that I should know about from the States?

Well, unless you're a fan of experimental composers, then America doesn't have a great deal to offer. Gershwin is the other big American name, I'm sure you've heard the Rhapsody in Blue, and you probably know a few pieces from his opera Porgy & Bess, even if you don't know that you know them (you know?). His Concerto in F is interesting, and the tone poem An American in Paris is also well-known.

I have only just noticed your response to this.

What your saying is what I rather had suspected. Personally modern or experimental composers that I have heard, don't really hit the right note for me.

To say that there are only 2 noteworthy American composers would be a bit narrowminded I think. Even if you don't enjoy the experimental music of composers like John Cage, you may enjoy other more traditional composers like Samuel Barber and Leonard Bernstein. Unless you consider minimalist music experimental then John Adams would also be one of my favorites. Eric Whitacre is a great composer of choral music. Also, even though it's not necessarily considered concert worthy music by some, the movie music of John Williams is great listening.

I can recommend the piano music of Charles Ives. I found the composer quite recently so I don´t know his work too well, but what he has written for piano I have found very inspiring. What i´ve heard from barber i have liked, but I don´t remember the names of the pieces.
Conlon Nancarrow is relatively badly known "experimental" composer, whose whole production consists of works for mechanical piano. All these "studies" are worth listening, some I believe, are masterpieces. Ligeti found him as one of the most important composers of his time and his works have even been corresponded with Bachs keyboard-works!
I also think Charlie Mingus was one of the great american composers of 20th century though not "classical". His "Black Saint and the Sinner Lady" is a masterpiece.
I also have liked a lot what I´ve heard from Paul Lansky.

If you want to go minimal then Try Steve Reich and Philip Glass