2. Beethoven - If Bach "took dictation from heaven," as they say, and put godliness into music, then Beethoven's music is the ultimate expression of the human. If Bach is God speaking to us, Beethoven is mankind responding to God with all he has. Beethoven is everyman - he gives place to all our emotions and feelings and strivings and exultations and failings.
3. Wagner - Haydn and Mozart and more loved, but Wagner changed the landscape more than anyone else and opened sound worlds that are still relevant today that many composers have imitated but none have equalled or excelled.
4. Mozart - Most enjoyable composer. Perfected the form.
5. Schubert- Genius
6. Brahms
7. Haydn
8. Schumann
9. Handel
10. Mendelssohn