Languish.org

General Category => Off the Record => Topic started by: Martinus on October 19, 2015, 09:51:03 AM

Title: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Martinus on October 19, 2015, 09:51:03 AM
If "Nm" was the number of people who know (ie have heard and can recognise as familiar) a particular music piece and "Nc" was the number of people who know (ie can mention the name) of a composer of that piece, which music piece would have the highest value for the "Nm/Nc" equation?

I would nominate the "Flower Duet" from "Lakme" by Delibes. 
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Syt on October 19, 2015, 09:56:46 AM
Francisco Tárrega's Gran Valse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3huwi5gxixE
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Monoriu on October 19, 2015, 10:03:31 AM
The first thing that came to my mind is Canon D.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVn2YGvIv0w
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Richard Hakluyt on October 19, 2015, 10:06:00 AM
Erik Satie Gymnopédie No.1 :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Xm7s9eGxU

Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Eddie Teach on October 19, 2015, 10:07:09 AM
Pachelbel is pretty well known I think.

I'd guess it's something from a movie soundtrack.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: garbon on October 19, 2015, 10:10:17 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 19, 2015, 10:07:09 AM
Pachelbel is pretty well known I think.

Yeah, I mean often that song is referred to as 'Pachelbel's Canon' :D
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Savonarola on October 19, 2015, 10:24:50 AM
Jheronimus Vinders - Lamentatio super morte Josquin des Pres (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJfurVg8T1s)
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Brazen on October 19, 2015, 10:26:41 AM
Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Brazen on October 19, 2015, 10:27:48 AM
Night On A Bald (Bare) Mountain by Mussorgsky.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Maladict on October 19, 2015, 10:29:42 AM
The Champions League theme.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Martinus on October 19, 2015, 10:54:36 AM
Quote from: Brazen on October 19, 2015, 10:27:48 AM
Night On A Bald (Bare) Mountain by Mussorgsky.

Mussorgsky is a known name though.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Martinus on October 19, 2015, 10:55:12 AM
Quote from: garbon on October 19, 2015, 10:10:17 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 19, 2015, 10:07:09 AM
Pachelbel is pretty well known I think.

Yeah, I mean often that song is referred to as 'Pachelbel's Canon' :D

Well, I have never heard the name before.  :blush:
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Zanza on October 19, 2015, 11:03:16 AM
Quote from: Maladict on October 19, 2015, 10:29:42 AM
The Champions League theme.
Händel is a very well-known composer. I guess most people don't make the connection.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Eddie Teach on October 19, 2015, 11:05:50 AM
Quote from: Savonarola on October 19, 2015, 10:24:50 AM
Jheronimus Vinders - Lamentatio super morte Josquin des Pres (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJfurVg8T1s)

This one checks both boxes for me. Familiar music, never heard of the composer.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Monoriu on October 19, 2015, 11:14:09 AM
Red River Valley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezJkRDQmL2Y

Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Monoriu on October 19, 2015, 11:15:36 AM
How famous is James Horner?  If he isn't that famous, then I give you, My Heart Will Go On  :cool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNyKDI9pn0Q
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Valmy on October 19, 2015, 11:17:34 AM
James Horner is extremely well known. Sorry Mono.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Monoriu on October 19, 2015, 11:19:08 AM
What about all the Disney classics? 

It's a small world

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jiaU0xbOKs

When you wish upon a star

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAG4RrLsnVk

A whole new world

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kl4hJ4j48s

Be our guest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afzmwAKUppU

Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Monoriu on October 19, 2015, 11:20:49 AM
Star Spangled Banner then -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_lCmBvYMRs
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Monoriu on October 19, 2015, 11:23:21 AM
Military songs -

Yellow Rose of Texas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LArGlfEVYqM

When Johnny comes marching home

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRJB036ev2Q

Battle hymn of the republic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5mmFPyDK_8
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Valmy on October 19, 2015, 11:25:04 AM
Can we not use blackface minstrel show tunes? That always makes things awkward.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Monoriu on October 19, 2015, 11:26:09 AM
Easy listening piano pieces -

Ballade pour Adeline

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCCan3TFPoc

Music Box Dancer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LRsYn9ufY0

Through the Arbor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spaMy5VONvw
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Monoriu on October 19, 2015, 11:27:52 AM
Christmas songs

Silent night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T4WB2zfmps

When Santa Claus is coming to town

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjoMqFlc5zQ

Joy to the world

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpgaWm2pnNs
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Monoriu on October 19, 2015, 11:30:59 AM
Musicals

Sound of music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJTRZI2HThU

Shall we dance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgVPnWmUqd4

Phantom of the opera

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JaeBxYCI9k

Tonight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_QffCZs-bg
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Liep on October 19, 2015, 11:33:18 AM
You're trolling more than usual, Mono.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: crazy canuck on October 19, 2015, 11:33:49 AM
Handel's Messiah.  Who hasn't heard that?
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Monoriu on October 19, 2015, 11:35:46 AM

Moon River

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7SI7N22k_A

Time to say goodbye

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3ENX3aHlqU

Scarborough Fair

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgTa7Z_GWxE
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: frunk on October 19, 2015, 12:26:47 PM
Carl Orff's O Fortuna (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIwrgAnx6Q8)
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Syt on October 19, 2015, 12:27:20 PM
Anton Karas - The Third Man:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oEsWi88Qv0

And did you know who composed Yakety Sax? Boots Randolph. That's who.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4NDLJow1ZE

And remember the awesome intro song from Pulp Fiction? Dick Dale? No, not quite:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW6qGy3RtwY
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: HisMajestyBOB on October 19, 2015, 12:39:14 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on October 19, 2015, 10:03:31 AM
The first thing that came to my mind is Canon D.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVn2YGvIv0w

I have a CD called "Pachebel's Greatest Hits".
It's 12 tracks with different variations of the Canon in D. :D

Quote from: garbon on October 19, 2015, 10:10:17 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 19, 2015, 10:07:09 AM
Pachelbel is pretty well known I think.

Yeah, I mean often that song is referred to as 'Pachelbel's Canon' :D

But that's about all he's known for.


Maybe Ravel's Bolero (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4wb11w0ZHQ) fits the bill?
I guess it depends on just how well-known a "best known piece" is and how little known a "least known composer" is. Couperin is hardly a well-known name but the third movement of his Suite in A Minor, Courante la Mignonne,  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR580CKFHX4)is probably very recognizable to anyone who played a lot of EUII. On the other hand, Frederick the Great was a composer and is likely not known for that (if he's "known" at all), but none of his pieces are particularly known either.

On the flip side, for little-known works by famous composers, I'd nominate Beethoven's "Wellington's Victory".  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_ibES7i-HU)
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Syt on October 19, 2015, 12:42:29 PM
For Europeans who grew up watching Eurovision broadcasts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwU37osOkQA
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Martinus on October 19, 2015, 12:46:22 PM
Quote from: Syt on October 19, 2015, 12:42:29 PM
For Europeans who grew up watching Eurovision broadcasts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwU37osOkQA

I think for this reason a lot of people actually know who wrote it. :P

Same with Mouret's Rondeau. Or Purcell's "Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary".
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Barrister on October 19, 2015, 12:47:08 PM
For Canadians, I give you Dolores Claman (of whom I'd never heard of until I looked it up).

What song did she compose?  Why the Hockey Theme.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 19, 2015, 12:47:41 PM
Yep, even in France, Charpentier is not that well known.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Duque de Bragança on October 19, 2015, 12:51:54 PM
As for an example of the best known piece by the least known composer, say The Planets Suite, for instance the Mars movement, by Gustav Holst.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Syt on October 19, 2015, 12:55:57 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 19, 2015, 12:51:54 PM
As for an example of the best known piece by the least known composer, say The Planets Suite, for instance the Mars movement, by Gustav Holst.

Not sure it's so well known - probably the music it inspired is better known (parts of the Star Wars soundtracks or the battle music from Gladiator). I think if you know The Planets, you'll know Holst.

Personally, I love Tomita's electronic interpretation of the material (used to some effect in the grindhouse cut of Star Wars A New Hope).
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 01:08:38 PM
Regarding Pachelbel's Canon, there's a rather funny rant by a youtube guy about it and its overwhelming influence in contemporary music:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM)

Quote from: Syt on October 19, 2015, 12:55:57 PM
Quote from: Duque de Bragança on October 19, 2015, 12:51:54 PM
As for an example of the best known piece by the least known composer, say The Planets Suite, for instance the Mars movement, by Gustav Holst.

Not sure it's so well known - probably the music it inspired is better known (parts of the Star Wars soundtracks or the battle music from Gladiator). I think if you know The Planets, you'll know Holst.

Personally, I love Tomita's electronic interpretation of the material (used to some effect in the grindhouse cut of Star Wars A New Hope).

Tomita's cover of Debussy's Arabesque no.1 was the theme for a rather peculiar kids show in Spain when I was very young, it's one of those songs that a whole generation has seared in their brains and probably don't know the name or author.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igHOaMOzzUo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igHOaMOzzUo)
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Syt on October 19, 2015, 01:12:26 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 01:08:38 PMTomita's cover of Debussy's Arabesque no.1 was the theme for a rather peculiar kids show in Spain when I was very young, it's one of those songs that a whole generation has seared in their brains and probably don't know the name or author.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igHOaMOzzUo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igHOaMOzzUo)

When I grew up Tomita's variation of the Aranjuez Concerto by Rodrigo was popular on TV if you needed an ethereal sci-fi sound for a show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SILF8CrhoKo
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 01:14:15 PM
Quote from: Syt on October 19, 2015, 01:12:26 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 01:08:38 PMRegarding Pachelbel's Canon, there's a rather funny rant by a youtube guy about it and its overwhelming influence in Tomita's cover of Debussy's Arabesque no.1 was the theme for a rather peculiar kids show in Spain when I was very young, it's one of those songs that a whole generation has seared in their brains and probably don't know the name or author.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igHOaMOzzUo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igHOaMOzzUo)

When I grew up Tomita's variation of the Aranjuez Concerto by Rodrigo was popular on TV if you needed an ethereal sci-fi sound for a show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SILF8CrhoKo

Was the misquote intentional?  :lol:
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Razgovory on October 19, 2015, 01:29:58 PM
Orpheus in the Underworld By Offenbach

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLBWx_2y4R4


Entry of the Gladiators by Fucit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0CyOAO8y0
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Syt on October 19, 2015, 01:32:18 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 01:14:15 PM
Quote from: Syt on October 19, 2015, 01:12:26 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 01:08:38 PMRegarding Pachelbel's Canon, there's a rather funny rant by a youtube guy about it and its overwhelming influence in Tomita's cover of Debussy's Arabesque no.1 was the theme for a rather peculiar kids show in Spain when I was very young, it's one of those songs that a whole generation has seared in their brains and probably don't know the name or author.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igHOaMOzzUo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igHOaMOzzUo)

When I grew up Tomita's variation of the Aranjuez Concerto by Rodrigo was popular on TV if you needed an ethereal sci-fi sound for a show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SILF8CrhoKo

Was the misquote intentional?  :lol:

No :D
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: The Brain on October 19, 2015, 02:40:13 PM
Probably some traditional piece.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: MadImmortalMan on October 19, 2015, 02:44:54 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 19, 2015, 01:29:58 PM
Orpheus in the Underworld By Offenbach

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLBWx_2y4R4


Entry of the Gladiators by Fucit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0CyOAO8y0

These are excellent contenders.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Razgovory on October 19, 2015, 03:11:53 PM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on October 19, 2015, 02:44:54 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on October 19, 2015, 01:29:58 PM
Orpheus in the Underworld By Offenbach

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLBWx_2y4R4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLBWx_2y4R4)


Entry of the Gladiators by Fucit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0CyOAO8y0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B0CyOAO8y0)

These are excellent contenders.

Rossini's William overture is probably another one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7O91GDWGPU

I'm not sure if Franz Liszt is to Obscure or not.  If so his Hungarian Rhapsody No 2 is a contender.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0odaG9qi818
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Martinus on October 19, 2015, 03:23:41 PM
Liszt, Rossini and Offenbach are all quite well known to someone even moderately interested in classical music.

Fucik is a great pick though. It's also a quintessential Austro-Hungarian military march as written by a Czech guy.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: frunk on October 19, 2015, 03:44:12 PM
Oh, and because this is bugging me, you can pretty up your links with the insert hyperlink (the world with the file in front of it).  Just put the text between the open/close tags and the url inside the open tag:

[ url = http:/ /youtube.com ] My Link [ / url ]

Just remove spaces.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: mongers on October 19, 2015, 03:56:27 PM
The 'Capriol Suite' by Warlock seems well know for something from a tragically short lived composer, sad but interesting life story, though his proper name escapes me at the moment.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 03:57:21 PM
Has "In the hall of the mountain king" by Grieg been mentioned already?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrIYT-MrVaI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrIYT-MrVaI)
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Eddie Teach on October 19, 2015, 04:22:15 PM
Quote from: Martinus on October 19, 2015, 03:23:41 PM
Fucik is a great pick though. It's also a quintessential Austro-Hungarian military march as written by a Czech guy.

Sounds like circus music to me.  :hmm:
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: HisMajestyBOB on October 19, 2015, 04:29:25 PM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 03:57:21 PM
Has "In the hall of the mountain king" by Grieg been mentioned already?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrIYT-MrVaI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrIYT-MrVaI)

Selections from his Peer Gynt suite are pretty strong contenders, too, especially "Morning."

Actually, any composer whose work was used in Looney Tunes would count.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Eddie Teach on October 19, 2015, 04:34:42 PM
Grieg is another who is not a contender because the Nc variable is too high.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Valmy on October 20, 2015, 08:13:03 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 19, 2015, 04:22:15 PM
Sounds like circus music to me.  :hmm:

Thus apropos for the Austro-Hungarian military.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: celedhring on October 20, 2015, 08:22:18 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 01:08:38 PM
Tomita's cover of Debussy's Arabesque no.1 was the theme for a rather peculiar kids show in Spain when I was very young, it's one of those songs that a whole generation has seared in their brains and probably don't know the name or author.

Planeta Imaginario  :wub:

And yeah, I didn't know the name or the author.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: The Larch on October 20, 2015, 09:56:56 AM
Quote from: celedhring on October 20, 2015, 08:22:18 AM
Quote from: The Larch on October 19, 2015, 01:08:38 PM
Tomita's cover of Debussy's Arabesque no.1 was the theme for a rather peculiar kids show in Spain when I was very young, it's one of those songs that a whole generation has seared in their brains and probably don't know the name or author.

Planeta Imaginario  :wub:

And yeah, I didn't know the name or the author.

That was one trippy show.  :lol: Spanish 80s kid television programming must have been ran on acid, for that and La bola de cristal to be their main shows.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Martinus on October 20, 2015, 10:00:35 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 19, 2015, 04:34:42 PM
Grieg is another who is not a contender because the Nc variable is too high.

Yeah, I thought so too.

I guess we should clarify that this is not about "a known piece by a known composer where people do not know the connection" - but "a known piece but an unknown composer".
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Liep on October 20, 2015, 11:30:39 AM
Question: Is this piece known outside of Denmark? Champagne Galop (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYO8hGm8UZU). If so I think it would qualify.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: The Brain on October 20, 2015, 11:40:08 AM
Quote from: Martinus on October 20, 2015, 10:00:35 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on October 19, 2015, 04:34:42 PM
Grieg is another who is not a contender because the Nc variable is too high.

Yeah, I thought so too.

I guess we should clarify that this is not about "a known piece by a known composer where people do not know the connection" - but "a known piece but an unknown composer".

If the composer is unknown then the ratio is undefined.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: Martinus on October 20, 2015, 11:44:53 AM
I don't think there is a single composer whose name is not known by at least one person - so you are always at least dividing by 1.
Title: Re: What is the best known music piece by the least known composer?
Post by: The Brain on October 20, 2015, 11:53:44 AM
Quote from: Martinus on October 20, 2015, 11:44:53 AM
I don't think there is a single composer whose name is not known by at least one person - so you are always at least dividing by 1.

An interesting claim. Let me just delete all my traditional music.