I know the board title's an oxymoron, but this board is for modern instrumental/symphonic music, and it didn't seem to fit anywhere else.

I'm partial to Cesar Giovannini. Anyone else got preferences?

My current favorite band composer is Frank Ticheli. I don't have as much experience with his works as I do with other people's, but every piece I hear of his is like a breath of fresh air. He's not afraid to be bold or take chances. In particular, I like his use of odd meters in pieces like "Vesuvius" (9/8, 8/8, 3/2 counted in one) and the second movement of his "Cajun Folk Songs" suite (mostly 10/8, I think, though I've never actually seen the score). Ticheli is my one reason to be proud of Louisiana.

As for orchestral works... sorry, I am really not familiar with any modern orchestral composers. Though Dr. Bill Grimes here at Louisiana State University did once write a really cool piece that my orchestra played a few years ago, I don't think he counts. (Great jazz musician, though. Internationally acclaimed, head of the jazz department at LSU.)

As an aside, I've often thought that many motion picture soundtracks could fall under the umbrella of "modern classical". Certainly the scores to Star Wars: A New Hope, and Star Trek: The Motion Picture were rich enough and symphonic enough in scope to qualify.

In fact, I wonder if some of the composers (e.g. John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, James Horner) might have composed symphonies had they not been composing movie scores...

Especially since symphonic orchestras are forever playing their music...

I actually feel that John William's work for Jurrasic Park should be considered a modern "classical work". It can easily stand on it's own merits, and with a very small amount of massaging, be converted into a three or four movement work.

I take it we can discuss Gerschwin, Bernstein, and Malcolm Arnold on this board?

Well, John Williams has indeed composed a lot of concert music, though it can be hard to find. His clarinet concerto is available on mp3.com - also try to find "Five Sacred Trees" and his various fanfares for the Olympics, among other things.

As far as I know, none of his symphonies are currently available

and his various fanfares for the Olympics, among other things

I know it's pre-Williams, but it reminded me...

Does anyone know where I can get an MP3 of "Bugler's Dream" (The Fanfare/Theme from the XX Olympiad)?

I take it we can discuss Gerschwin...

No, but we can discuss Gershwin.

OT, I know that's how it spelled... I used to live on Gershwin Drive.

Sven of Nine must have been thinking of the bicycle ...

No, that would be "Gerschwinn".

No, that would be "Gerschwinn".
"No, it's the Cole Porter who wrote 'Anything Goes'.... this one's *different*..."

Does anyone know where I can get an MP3 of "Bugler's Dream" (The Fanfare/Theme from the XX Olympiad)?

Actually, you might want to pick up the two-CD "John Williams Greatest Hits" which has both "Bugler's Dream" and Williams's Olympic stuff (among many other things).