Reply #22: Federico Mompou, Alberto Ginastera

[Ratty]

Federico Mompou: Cataloninan. Died in 1987 but he was a marvellous composer. He wrote mostly for the piano, mostly very small pieces, his pieces are tonal, some very traditional with modern flavors, others quite modern and less accessible. My favorites are his "Variations on a Theme of Chopin," "Cançó i Danses," and the "Preludes." Most everything else he wrote is a little avant garde for my taste but those three pieces are more traditional and quite accessible. I wish I could recommend a recording but there aren't any good ones.

Alberto Ginastera: Argentinian. Died 1983. Very modern, very percussive style, yet still accessible. My favorite piece, and his best known, is "Danzas Argentinas." The middle movement is simply one of the most sweet and lovely pieces in all of music. The last movement will leave you breathless. There's another piano piece I like a lot but unfortunately the name escapes me.

I voted for Faure in the poll. He's often a very shallow composer but many of his works have great depth. I like especially his Ballade for Piano and Orchestra, and a few of his Nocturnes and Preludes.