Originally Posted by SATCHMO

Quite an admirable list!

Bela Bartok - His six string quartets are pure indulgence, very dynamic and visceral, sometimes bordering on violent
Claude Debussey - I'm not terribly much for his symphonic work, but I haven't heard a piano piece by him that I didn't love
Dimitri Shostakovich - His symphonies are dark and brooding, just the way I like them, especially his 8th symphony. One of the best and most prolific String quartet composers of the modern era.
Ludwig Van Beethoven - Mainly for his Piano sonatas, Moonlight, Pathetique, and Apassionata are without a doubt my favorite pieces of music, full stop.
Frederich Chopin - In my opinion, next to Beethoven, the greatest piano composer ever. His Nocturnes are beyond my description.