[Texas Chrystal]

A lot of new work is pretty ear-shattering. Those pieces are no fun to listen to OR play. However, there are many new composers that write fantastic work. Maslanka, Dougherty, Tichelli and Michael Tilson-Thomas are some of my favorite. I'll also include Frank Zappa in that category although he is a little "older."
Check them out.

[labard1]

Sorry, but I view Beethoven's "Der Grosse Fuge" as at once a wonderful work, and the beginning of the end for great music. If we had no music post Beethoven, I wouldn't seriously miss it.

I like some Elgar, Faure, Joplin, Bernstein, Copeland-- but don't rank any of it with Bach, Mozart, Hayden or ancient music. It's a matter of personal taste-- I'm not trying to persuade you. Gorecki is interesting, but not someone I'd listen to if he weren't one of the best contemporaries.