Sometimes, I feel that the impression that the wider audience has of some of the composers (such as Bach and Mozart) come via the older "traditional" performances of their works. There is a good deal of compositional talent behind both those composers, but Bach has the most emotionally moving music in some of his arias and cantatas, whilst Mozart is just full of devilish wit! The Early Music revival of these composers, with a conscious realisation of their intentions for performance goes a long way to taking these composers out of their stuffy boxes!

I understand about the Bach seeming jittery, there is often a lot going on, especially in the instrumental works, but some of the slow movements and the arias are divine! (Check the 2nd movement of the a minor violin concerto, if you get a good performance of it!)

Anyway, I'm considering putting up the occasional post of lesser known composers. It's always good to remind people that there are better things than Mozart, Beethoven and Bach!

I'm with you on the opera though, Romantic opera is really not my thing. Although, Baroque and Classical opera, performed in a stylistically appropriate manner (those howling voices are a 20th century development that is best forgotten...) are really quite amazing! Especially the French Baroque operas of Rameau!

Glad you enjoy the later Romantic and Impressionist composers! To tell the truth, it has been some time since I've heard much of that repertoire, as I'm a specialist in the earlier Baroque and Classical fields..... Maybe, it is time to rekindle my interest!