Composers' most "accessible" & "approachable" scores to a new listener

So I've been meaning to start a thread like this for a while now. Every now and then I want to get into a new composer's work, but I pick a recording that is a little too much for me to jump right into. Sometimes I need to be finessed into their style. I was wondering if you could rate your favourite composers scores from most instantly approachable and accessible to least.

For example, I would venture to say Into the Woods is a far better introduction to Sondheim for someone new, whereas Pacific Overtures and Sunday in the Park are more for the Sondheim-initiated. That isn't to say they are lesser works...just definitely more appreciated by someone who has a knowledge of his style.

Essentially: What order would you suggest a newbie to a certain composer listen to that composer's body of work.


Akiva

Updated On: 7/13/08 at 06:04 PM

Michael John LaChiusa: See What I Wanna See (particularly the second half) OR the soon to be released Little Fish

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Company is Sondheim's most accessible score. I think listening to that first 15 minute long opening of Into the Woods is far from approachable or accessible the first time around.

Updated On: 7/13/08 at 07:31 PM

Wouldn't FORUM be Sondheim's most accessible and easiest to listen to for a new listener?

Updated On: 7/13/08 at 07:39 PM

For LaChiusa, the second half of SWIWS is definitely very accessible, the first act not so much. I would put The Wild Party somewhere in the middle - there are some very catchy songs. Something like Barnarda Alba is not nearly as accessible. At least, those are my opinions. I haven't listened to Marie Christine enough to place it.

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hmmm I think in order of Most to least accessible for MJL....

1) Little Fish
2) See What I Wanna See
3) The Wild Party
4) Bernarda Alba
5) Marie Christine
6) Hello Again
7) First Lady Suite

just my opinion. feel free to disagree...he's a tricky composer but well worth multiple listens. He grows on you. My favorite composer by far :)

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Updated On: 7/13/08 at 08:03 PM

I actually think that Parade is JRB's most accessible work, and would recommend LitP for Guettel, unless you could just pick certain songs from Floyd Collins.

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With Wild Party I find some songs very memorable and accessible, and some not so much. I particularly remember loving People Like Us.

What abour with the works of William Finn...in what order woul you suggest a musical newbie listening to his works?

Akiva

It's odd. For me, I find the first act of SWIWS to be much more accessible. But I find The Wild Party to be his most accessible work.

For Finn, I would say Spelling Bee, then Elegies.

For Guettel, Floyd Collins all the way. If anything, 'How Glory Goes' will help get some insight to his style.

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Strange I always end up cringing when The Wild Party comes up on shuffle, but I love See What I Wanna See. Maybe I'll give it another try...

Well, for Sondheim's shows in general, I guess Forum would be the most accessible. The only problem is that all his other scores, maybe save Merrily (not saying it's accessible though), are VERY different. So, if you really want to get into the more complex/sophisticated Sondheim, I too think that Company is the best start. However, the "sound" for Company is very 70s while his other scores seem to not have such a "dated (not used negatively)" feeling. That can be a drawback depending on the listener. Also, I think the long opening song from Into The Woods is pretty accessible because that main "Into the Woods" song/theme (correct term?) is repeated again and again to give it that approachable quality (of course later, that same theme turns amazingly dark).

What other composers are you curious about?

Updated On: 9/19/08 at 01:50 AM

For Finn's work I actually suggest listening to March of Falsettos first. It got me into Finn and gives such an emotional wallop that it's hard to fall in love with.

1. March of the Falsettos
2. Falsettoland
3. A New Brain
4. Elegies
5. Spelling Bee
6. In Trousers

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For Finn, I actually started with A New Brain, I just thought it was great how he was able to turn something so (almost) tragic in his life into a musical. I'm also partial to Infinte Joy, I know it's a Cabaret, but it's a good introduction to different songs from his shows...