I thought I would contribute to this thread too. Favourite composers are definitely easier to define than greatest (if that in itself is meaningful). I'm sure everyone of us have vastly different list of favourite composers, and I would like to see why each of us prefer a composer over another and or like the composer at all! Of course, for me, my opinion is formed by what I have heard, and I'm still trying to expand my listening repertoire. I'm still fairly young, at 21. 1. Vaughan Williams He has always been my favourite, especially since I was introduced to his music through his English Folksong Suite, The Lark Ascending, Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and Fantasia on Greensleeves. I also love his various symphonies, especially the mysterious Ninth and the violent Sixth. Very individual and distinctive style, which probably explains my preference for him. 2. Stravinksy He has written a lot of music in differing styles. Very innovative, daring and distinctive. Apart from his famous trio of ballets, he has also written stuff like the Ebony Concerto, Symphonies of Wind Instruments and the Fairy's Kiss, works of very different styles. 3. Debussy Imaginative orchestrator. Sublime harmonies, in my opinion. Dreamy works, and full of colour! 4. Ravel Also a great orchestrator. His works are full of clarity and precision. Very colourful. 5. Nielsen His symphonies are great! Expansive ideas. 6. Adams Minimalistic neo-romanticist? Interesting works, and memorable ones like the Violin Concerto and Chairman Dances. 7. Sibelius Symphonies, tone poems. 8. Copland Americana. His 'modern' works like Piano Variations, Connotations. Two very different aspects. 9. Rautavaara Beautiful soundworld. Great orchestration. 10. Hovhaness Very individual, and tuneful. Interesting orchestration and techniques. Beautiful solo lines over haunting harmonies. Works like Mysterious Mountain, Celestial Gate, and the Prelude and Quadruple Fugue. 11. Torke Modern and energetic. Very wonderful rhythms and spiky sounds. I like his Javelin and his Four Proverbs. 12. Prokofiev Humourous. Spiky harmonies. His symphonies are great. Regards, Edwin Phua Singapore