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I assume these are all recommended recordings.   Any other good ones by Still that you would also recommend?

I have one CD which is ok, but it's a little more vocal and not necessarily on the top of my list (but I should really give it another shot).

Would someone like Alan Hovhaness fit in this as well? 

At one point I might have been tempted to call him my favorite contemporary composer.   While I still feel he has some brilliant pieces for my ears, I do have some issues after hearing more of his collection.

I'd love to hear the members' thoughts about him, his music, etc.. 

Thanks for the replies up to this point!

I probably should have clarified that the other posts was referring to a specific composer being more adept (or producing better) piano concertos than symphonies.  I don't believe it was piece vs piece in the grand scheme of things.

That being said, maybe that's part of my issue.  It's not like my collection is deplete of non-symphonic work, but those are the ones that catch my eye.   Since I will normally gravitate towards symphonic work, I could be missing out on a composer's strengths?   Maybe that is precisely the sorts of things I can ask this group. 

Kevin mentioned not liking opera – this is a form of classical music I have never fully appreciated.  The only full "opera" I have is Philip Glass' "La Belle et la Bête", which certainly doesn't fit the normal operatic mold.  Anything else I have are just highlights (Dvorak's Rusalka is an example, but I only listen to one of the instrumental pieces).   I think I've never appreciated the vocals in opera – maybe I need to expand in that area – plus they tend to be longer and possibly more expensive (?).

Alan is right though that great music is great music! 

I know I'm starting very broad, but I'm broadening (I swear I didn't intend this to get so punny early on) my own musical tastes.  I've tended to be of the mindset that if the symphony is the be-all-end-all of a composer's strength.   Something struck me in another post when someone said that the composer's piano concertos were his strengths.

I'd love to know what/why you tend to gravitate towards a particular piece of music.

Also, any "unsung" suggestions would be most appreciated!

Thanks!

While on another forum, I inquired about good places for classical music discussions and "Unsung Composers" was one of the responses I received. 

I doubt I can offer a lot to this group, but a lot of questions.  I don't have an extensive musical background, although I love listening to classical music and have considerably broadened my tastes to include works that are not so popular/tonal as perhaps I would have required in the past.

While I think I can grasp the "unsung" descriptor, I am a little concerned that I might mis-label some composers.  It is possible I may inquire about a composer I'm not particularly familiar with, but it will turn out is the most-respected composer of a specific genre/instrument/style.   Feel free to set me straight though!

I'm looking forward to being a part of this forum.