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These are all likely to change from day to day but for today anyway: - symphonies Schnittke, Bruckner, Simpson, Beethoven, Lutoslawski, Knussen - operas I detest all opera that I've heard but I'll go with Wagner because of his influence on pretty much everyone. - piano pieces (solo) Beethoven, Debussy, Ligeti, Messiaen, Schnittke, Dallapiccola - piano pieces (concerto) Bartok, Lutoslawski, Mozart, Milhaud, Berkeley - violin pieces Lutoslawski, Bach, Berg, Ades - string quartets/quintets Beethoven, Bartok, Shostakovich, Carter, Simpson, Berg - chamber music Messiaen, Martinu, Brahms, Takemitsu - Vocal music Schubert, Barber, Berg, Schoenberg, Schnittke Overall: Beethoven. I know it's the cliched choice but I honestly could've written Beethoven under every heading (except vocal and opera) and it would have been completely justified. I don't think there has been or ever will be a better composer.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=tone+row

You should use a tone row for your subject, those are always good.