List Rules Vote up who you think are the greatest modern composers
The best modern composers come from all around the world, from every walk of life. This is a list of these wonderful musicians, true icons of the Classical music world, ranked from best to worst by music lovers everywhere. From famous modern composers that have written some of the most iconic soundtracks to some of the greatest movies of all time, to lesser know classical musicians that have made a career in symphony orchestras all over the globe, this list should have something for everyone.
What names will you find on this best modern composers list? Danny Elfman has to be mentioned among the most talented composers of all time. First rising to popularity in the band Oingo Boingo, Elfman went on to compose such memorable pieces as the themes from The Simpsons, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Batman. John Williams is another great composer from modern times. If you prefer jazzier tunes, give a listen to the composer and multi-instrumentalist Keith Jarrett. Other good musicians that are featured on this top modern composers list include Ennio Morricone, Rachel Portman and Alexandre Desplat.
Who is the best modern composer? Be sure to vote them up and let your voice be heard!
list ordered by
1
144 50
John WilliamsJurassic Park, Superman: The Movie, Jaws
2
150 54
Hans ZimmerGladiator: More Music From the Motion Picture, The Dark Knight, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
3
65 30
Howard ShoreThe Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Aviator
4
66 32
Ennio MorriconeOnce Upon a Time in America, The Good^! the Bad and the Ugly, Duck You^! Sucker
JaredJohns added Michael GiacchinoCars 2, Up, Star Trek - Known for his compositions in Sci-Fi (Star Trek, Star Wars, MCU, Planet of the Apes) and Animated films (Ratatouille, Cars, Up).
7
39 26
Alan SilvestriBack to the Future: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack, Forrest Gump: Original Motion Picture Score, Back to the Future
ElijahBrents added YanniDare to Dream, Out of Silence, Optimystique - Absolutly amazing composer
16
10 6
1514152840126 added Nobuo UematsuFinal Fantasy III: Original Sound Version, Final Fantasy VIII: Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec, Music of Final Fantasy I and II - Important mentions: Opera Maria & Draco, Dancing Mad, Liberi Fatali, One Winged Angel
17
5 2
JerryMuzsik added Arvo PärtCello Concerto / Symphonies Nos. 1-3 (Bamberg Symphony Orchestra feat. conductor Neeme Jarvi), Fratres (Hungarian State Opera Orchestra feat. conductor Tamás Benedek), Alina
18
22 21
Bernard HerrmannPsycho: Complete Original Motion Picture Score, Vertigo, The Planets
Luke Albright added Edward Simon One of the most talented jazz composers I know, (the only one I know personally). I went to school with his son, and we've been friends a long time.
44
4 9
jimmosk added Joan TowerThirteen Ways, Made in America / Tambor / Concerto for Orchestra (Nashville Symphony Orchestra feat. conductor: Leonard Slatkin), Silver Ladders/Island Prelude/Music for Cello and Orchestra/Sequoia (St. Louis Symphony Orchestra feat. conductor Leonard Slatkin)
45
4 9
DanielCV added Klemens Vereno Klemens Vereno is an austrian composer and conductor born in Salzburg in 1957.
46
4 9
Hannah Rachel Ulep added Abel KorzeniowskiCopernicus' Star, Romeo & Juliet, Escape From Tomorrow
47
3 11
Judy DunawayJudy Dunaway and the Evan Gallagher Little Band, Judy Dunaway, Mother of Balloon Music