My preferences tend to lean toward modern compositions; mostly 20th century, and a lot of eastern european stuff. Henryk Gorecki's third symphony is stunning. Arvo Part is another favorite; check out his Fratres. If you listen to a bit of this style and find that it's something you like, Gyorgy Ligeti is another guy to check out. Also, Georgs Pelecis, who isn't really a well known composer, has a piece called Nevertheless that floors me every time I hear it.
Robocop mentioned Phillip Glass, and I love his work.
The war sonatas (Nos 6, 7, 8) by Prokofiev were one of the first pieces of classical that I really fell in love with.
In a totally different genre of classical, I also enjoy Piazzola's tangos.
John Cage and Gavin Bryers are a couple other contemporary composers who are worth checking out, although in both cases, there are compositions I love, and ones I hate.
edit: a few links:
Georgs Pelecis
Gyorgy Ligeti
Henryk Gorecki
Arvo Part
Phillip Glass
Astor Piazzolla
Last edited by octothorp; 03-18-2011 at 11:28 AM.
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